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RIC 170 Titus
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Æ Sestertius, 23.63g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: S C in field; Spes stg. l., with flower
RIC 170 (C2). BMC 183. BNC 174.
Acquired from Ampex, eBay, May 2020.
Spes was a common reverse type under Vespasian, connected to future dynastic hope and harmony. It continued to be struck by Titus and can be viewed as his hope for the future with his chosen heir Domitian. As Mattingly put it: '...the recurring types of Spes suggests that Titus gave Domitian full due as heir to the throne.' The left facing portrait variants of the type tend to be in a somewhat finer style than those facing right, likely the handiwork of one talented engraver who preferred lefties. Unlike with Titus' denarii, left portraits in bronze are quite common.
Honest wear in fine style.
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