Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D.
RS116553. Silver denarius, RIC II-1 980, BMCRE II 216, RSC II 216, BnF III 190, Hunter I 73, SRCV I 2293 var. (head left), gF, nice portrait, round flan, flow lines, light marks, slightly off center, 3.347g, 18.8mm, 150o, Rome mint, CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Latin: Caesar Vespasianus Augustus - Caesar Vespasian, emperor), laureate head right; reverse modius filled with stalks of grain, IMP - XIX (Latin: Imperator Undevicesimus - Supreme commander for the 19th time) flanking across field
The modius was a Roman measure, of wheat for instance, or for any dry or solid commodity. It contained the third part of an amphora, and four of these measures of grain per month was the ordinary allowance given to slaves. On Roman coins the modius with stalks of grain and sometimes poppy, hanging or rising from it, indicates the fertility of the empire and the Imperial liberality and providence in procuring, and in bestowing grain to the people.