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RIC 053 Titus
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AR Denarius, 3.17g
Rome mint, 79 AD
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P VIIII IMP XV COS VII P P; Venus stg. r. leaning on column, with helmet and spear
RIC 53 (R). BMC 25. RSC 286. BNC 20.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Venus is an ironic choice for a reverse for Titus in light of his tragic romance with the Jewish Queen Berenice, who he had to banish because of her unpopularity with the Roman people. The BMCRE instead speculates the reverse echoes the classic reverses issued by Julius Caesar and Augustus, thus aligning Titus to an imperial tradition.
The coin itself is in excellent condition and features a classic portrait. Even the Venus is rendered wonderfully well.
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