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RIC 0858 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]
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AR Denarius, 3.25g
Rome mint, 76 AD
Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: COS V (high in field); bull stg. r.
RIC 858 (R). BMC 186. RSC 52. BNC 163.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
This denarius of Titus as Caesar from 76 AD obviously shows a bull (even those with a passing knowledge of farm animal anatomy can tell the difference) and not a cow, but the question is why was this type minted with both sexes portrayed, sometimes ambiguously?
The BMCRE proffers this type as a reference to the famous 'Cow of Myron' statue and the coin commemorates the placing of it in Vespasian's new Temple of Peace. If this is so, why do some of the types show a bull?
Perhaps the type is nothing more than an agricultural reference like so many of the other denarii the Flavians issued in the last half of Vespasian's reign.
Decent coin with good metal and a well rendered bull on the reverse.
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