Silver Denarius of Vespasian RIC 90

Silver Denarius (18.6mm 2.64g) Struck A.D. 75

Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head right

Rev: PON MAX TR P COS VI Pax seated left, holding olive branch

RIC II 90 Sears 2301 RIC II (2nd Edition) 772
ex. Agora Auctions lot 19-093 October 28, 2014,

Roman emperors used coins exactly like we use social media or television today—to spread political messages and tell the public, "Hey, look how great everything is going under my rule!"

The Silver Denarius of Vespasian (RIC 90), minted in Rome in 75 A.D., tells a great story of a classic political makeover.

The Front (Obverse): Meet The Boss

The inscription reads: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG

(Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus)

• The Portrait: You see Vespasian looking to the right, wearing a laurel wreath (the ultimate Roman symbol of victory).
• The Context: Just a few years before this coin was minted, Rome was a complete mess. The year 69 A.D. is famously called the "Year of the Four Emperors" because a violent civil war broke out, and military generals kept killing each other for the throne. Vespasian was the last man standing. He wasn't from a fancy royal bloodline—he was a gritty, practical military general.
• The Message: By putting "Caesar" and "Augustus" next to his name, he was telling the Roman people: "The civil war is over. I am the legitimate, stable leader of Rome now."

The Back (Reverse): Peace and Order

The inscription reads: PON MAX TR P COS VI

(Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Consul Sextum)

This lists his official titles, essentially showing off his credentials. It means he is the Chief Priest (Pontifex Maximus), holds the power of the tribune to protect the people, and is serving his sixth term as Consul (the highest elected office).

• The Visual: The coin features Pax, the goddess of peace, sitting calmly on a chair and holding an olive branch.
• The Message: This is the most important part of the coin's political campaign. After years of bloody internal fighting, Vespasian wanted to hammer home one big idea: Peace. By putting Pax on his coins, he was saying, "Under my guidance, stability has returned. You can breathe easy, stock up the markets, and enjoy a peaceful empire."

Why the Year 75 A.D. Matters

The year this coin was made is highly symbolic. In 75 A.D., Vespasian dedicated his magnificent Temple of Peace (Templum Pacis) in Rome. It was a massive public square built using the riches captured during the Jewish War.

When Romans held this exact silver denarius in their hands, they would immediately connect the goddess Pax on the coin with the breathtaking new temple standing in the heart of their city. It was a masterful piece of ancient public relations!