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RIC 030 Titus
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AR Denarius, 3.43g
Rome Mint, 79 AD
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P; Trophy, below captive kneeling r.
RIC 30 (C). BMC 15. RSC 274. BNC 12. Hendin 1583.
Acquired from Zuzim, august 2008.
A 'Capta' type that may alternately be a Judaea or Britannia commemorative. Mattingly in the BMCRE (p. xli) interprets these types of Titus as Augustus referring to Britannia and Agricola's campaigns in Northern England and Scotland. Jane M. Cody in the book 'Flavian Rome' (pg. 111) agrees with Mattingly, citing the differences in shield and trophy designs with the standard Judaea Capta types. Confusingly, Mattingly states that this type issued for Titus as Caesar under Vespasian refers to Judaea while Cody believes both issues were minted for victories in Britain because of identical composition and detail. I believe it to be a Judaea Capta commemorative. Titus's bronze coinage overtly advertises the Judean victory with no hint of a British one. It would be odd indeed if the propaganda messages on the precious metal coinage diverged so significantly from the bronze! Additionally, this type was solely struck for Titus Caesar under Vespasian - if it is a British victory commemorative, why was it not struck for Vespasian the ruling emperor as well?
A nice example with a slightly off-center obverse, but featuring a very pleasing portrait.
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