TYPE Roman Empire, Vespasian (69-79 AD), silver denarius, 3.26g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Laureate head of Vespasian to right; legend: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG PM Rev: Simpulum, sprinkler, jug and lituus (pontifical implements), legend: AVGVR PON MAX REFERENCE: RSC 43 GRADING: VF / AVF, toned ORDER INFO: R2879, $65 Forceful and bold portrait of verist style. In modern English bad circumstances usually "don't augur well" for its protagonists, but in the olden days when the Flavians roamed the VIP lounges of the Circus Maximus, augury (positive sense included) was alive and well, and very much a prerogative of the highest ranking office in the Empire.