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RIC 248 Titus
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Æ As, 10.39g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVST; S C in field; Victory stg. r. on prow, with wreath and palm
RIC 248 (C). BMC 217. BNC 222.
Acquired from eBay, September 2019.
A fairly common As struck in Titus' large second issue of bronze in 80-81. Because Titus did not take up the consulship in 81, the issue cannot be dated more precisely. The Victory on prow is a carry-over type from the coinage of Vespasian, who in turn borrowed it from the coinage of Augustus. It is a fairly popular generic design symbolising the emperor's military successes. The prow lends it a nautical theme, perhaps alluding to a successful ongoing Flavian naval policy.
Very attractively toned with a pleasing portrait.
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