Vespasian's repeated use of the AEQVITAS AVGVSTI type across his bronze coinage was deliberate political messaging — he came to power after the chaos of 69 AD's four-emperor year, and projecting fiscal fairness and stable weights was essential to restoring confidence in both the principate and the currency itself. The Senate, whose S C authority nominally sanctioned the aes coinage, was being carefully cultivated throughout this period.
RIC II.1 #399 dates to the joint censorship of Vespasian and Titus in 72–73, a constitutional maneuver that allowed the emperor to reshape the Senate rolls directly.
Vespasian's repeated use of the AEQVITAS AVGVSTI type across his bronze coinage was deliberate political messaging — he came to power after the chaos of 69 AD's four-emperor year, and projecting fiscal fairness and stable weights was essential to restoring confidence in both the principate and the currency itself. The Senate, whose S C authority nominally sanctioned the aes coinage, was being carefully cultivated throughout this period.
RIC II.1 #399 dates to the joint censorship of Vespasian and Titus in 72–73, a constitutional maneuver that allowed the emperor to reshape the Senate rolls directly.