Egypt. Alexandria. Vespasian, 69-79. Drachm (Bronze, 36.60 mm, 23.48 g). Dated Year Γ = 3 = AD 70/1. [ΑΥΤΟΚ] ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ[ΟΥ] Laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev. Draped, winged bust of Nike with elaborate hairdo right; L Γ (date), in the right field. Dattari-Savio 389-90. Geissen 288. K&G 20.27. RPC II 2427. Emmett 208. An attractive specimen with a fine red-brown patina. It has been professionally cleaned with excellent results, otherwise, Good Very Fine. From the collection of Jean-Pierre Righetti. Ex Nomos 24, 22.05.2022, lot 268. Ex Classical Numismatic Group E397, 17 May 2017, 351. This bronze drachm of Vespasian usually ordinary and poorly minted on irregular flans is presented here, perfectly centred, in all its splendor for the regularity of the strike, artistic quality of the images and finally for the extraordinary state of preservation after a light and very careful cleaning of some encrustations that make it perhaps the specimen that has come down to us in the best condition. Magical and mercilessly realistic is the portrait of the general and ruler Vespasian, originally from the Sabine countryside, with his taurine neck and truculent gaze, a fine engraving possibly the work of a late Hellenistic master engraver brought from Syria and incardinated in the mint of Alexandria. The Nike on the reverse of this coin refers primarily to Vespasian's triumph in the Jewish War, but must also allude to his victory in the Civil War.