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RIC 0767 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian] Mule
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Æ Dupondius, 10.82g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: T•CAESAR•IMP•COS III•CENS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR•POT•COS III•CENSOR•; Winged caduceus between crossed cornuacopiae
RIC 767 (R). BMC 892. BNC 908.
Acquired from Finest Coins and Relics, eBay, September 2021. Formerly in NGC holder #5872785-003, grade F.
A truly remarkable Titus Caesar dupondius struck in Rome under Vespasian, but lacking the traditional radiate portrait on the obverse and the de rigueur S C on the reverse. The reverse with crossed cornucopiae echoes similar types from the East. Traditionally, the issue this rather strange coin is from has been attributed to various different mints over the years. However, hoard and findspot data indicates these coins circulated in the Western empire and not in the East. Ted Buttrey in the RIC II.1 A&C wrote - 'RIC 756-767 are irregular Dupondii, which should be taken together with Asses, semisses and quadrantes (RIC 1564-1581), forming together a single extraordinary issue in four denominations, distinct in typology and metal, as well as overall character from the regular coinage of the year. Although Eastern in aspect and reverse type, the circulation area of the dupondii is almost exclusively Gaul, Germany, Italy – i.e. the West, with scarcely any penetration of the East. Finds of the smaller denominations are rarely attested anywhere, East or West. The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation.'
This specimen has the additional feature of being a mint mule combining an obverse intended for Titus Caesar's previous bronze issue with a 'Syrian' reverse. In all likely hood both issues were struck contemporaneously.
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![RIC 0767 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian] Mule
Æ Dupondius, 10.82g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: T•CAESAR•IMP•COS III•CENS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR•POT•COS III•CENSOR•; Winged caduceus between crossed cornuacopiae
RIC 767 (R). BMC 892. BNC 908.
Acquired from Finest Coins and Relics, eBay, September 2021. Formerly in NGC holder #5872785-003, grade F.
A truly remarkable Titus Caesar dupondius struck in Rome under Vespasian, but lacking the traditional radiate portrait on the obverse and the de rigueur S C on the reverse. The reverse with crossed cornucopiae echoes similar types from the East. Traditionally, the issue this rather strange coin is from has been attributed to various different mints over the years. However, hoard and findspot data indicates these coins circulated in the Western empire and not in the East. Ted Buttrey in the RIC II.1 A&C wrote - 'RIC 756-767 are irregular Dupondii, which should be taken together with Asses, semisses and quadrantes (RIC 1564-1581), forming together a single extraordinary issue in four denominations, distinct in typology and metal, as well as overall character from the regular coinage of the year. Although Eastern in aspect and reverse type, the circulation area of the dupondii is almost exclusively Gaul, Germany, Italy – i.e. the West, with scarcely any penetration of the East. Finds of the smaller denominations are rarely attested anywhere, East or West. The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation.'
This specimen has the additional feature of being a mint mule combining an obverse intended for Titus Caesar's previous bronze issue with a 'Syrian' reverse. In all likely hood both issues were struck contemporaneously.](albums/userpics/11162/V767.jpg "RIC 0767 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian] Mule
Æ Dupondius, 10.82g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: T•CAESAR•IMP•COS III•CENS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR•POT•COS III•CENSOR•; Winged caduceus between crossed cornuacopiae
RIC 767 (R). BMC 892. BNC 908.
Acquired from Finest Coins and Relics, eBay, September 2021. Formerly in NGC holder #5872785-003, grade F.
A truly remarkable Titus Caesar dupondius struck in Rome under Vespasian, but lacking the traditional radiate portrait on the obverse and the de rigueur S C on the reverse. The reverse with crossed cornucopiae echoes similar types from the East. Traditionally, the issue this rather strange coin is from has been attributed to various different mints over the years. However, hoard and findspot data indicates these coins circulated in the Western empire and not in the East. Ted Buttrey in the RIC II.1 A&C wrote - 'RIC 756-767 are irregular Dupondii, which should be taken together with Asses, semisses and quadrantes (RIC 1564-1581), forming together a single extraordinary issue in four denominations, distinct in typology and metal, as well as overall character from the regular coinage of the year. Although Eastern in aspect and reverse type, the circulation area of the dupondii is almost exclusively Gaul, Germany, Italy – i.e. the West, with scarcely any penetration of the East. Finds of the smaller denominations are rarely attested anywhere, East or West. The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation.'
This specimen has the additional feature of being a mint mule combining an obverse intended for Titus Caesar's previous bronze issue with a 'Syrian' reverse. In all likely hood both issues were struck contemporaneously.")
