Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.43 g), AD 69-79. Rome, AD 76. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse IOVIS CVSTOS, Jupiter standing facing, holding patera and scepter; at his feet to left, altar. RIC 849; BMC 276; RSC 222. Well struck and perfectly centered. Extremely Fine.

Jupiter Custos, or Jupiter Conservator, is honored on this coin because he was thought to have protected Domitian when the Vitellians stormed the capitol in AD 69. Vespasian dedicated an altar of marble to the god, the sides of which were engraved with a scene representing the rescue. Once Domitian became emperor, he erected a large temple to Jupiter Custos, which may have incorporated the altar.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300.
Ex CNG 61 (25 September 2002), 1684.