Vespasian AR Denarius. AD 69-70. Rome mint.

IMP ALEXANDER P F AVG, laureate head to right / GLORIA EXERCITVS KART, Alexander on horseback to right, raising right hand; PK in exergue. RIC VI 66 var. (rev. legend break); BM 1862,0415.18 var. (same). 4.03gr, 23mm, 6h.

Very Fine. Extremely rare.

From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The usurper L. Domitius Alexander (Alexander of Carthage) was governor of Africa and had sworn allegiance to Maxentius, securing the all-important Carthaginian grain supply for Rome. Constantine and Maximian convinced Alexander to renege on this alliance, and thus he deserted to their camp and halted the grain shipments, causing famine and severe rioting in Rome. Maxentius sent his praetorian prefect, Volusian, with several Legions to North Africa to put an end to Alexander's revolt, and when Constantine and Maximian offered no help, Volusian's legions swiftly defeated Alexander and his troops. Alexander himself was captured and strangled shortly thereafter.

FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, laureate head to right / GENIO AVGG ET CAESARVM NN, Genius, wearing modius on head, standing to left, holding cornucopia and patera from which liquid flows; KB(?) in exergue. RIC VI 11a. 10.47gr, 28mm, 12h.

Near Very Fine.

Private collection, acquired 1980–1985.

IVLIA MAESA AVG, draped bust to right / IVNO, Juno, veiled, standing facing, head to left, holding patera and sceptre. RIC IV 254 (Elagabalus); BMCRE 68 (same); RSC 16. 3.30gr, 19mm, 6h.

Very Fine.

Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.