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RIC 094 Titus
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AR Quinarius, 1.39g
Rome mint, 79-80 AD
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVST (anti-clockwise, outwardly, from high l.); Victory std. l., with wreath and palm
RIC 94 (C). BMC 110. RSC 370a. BNC 88.
Ex Tauler & Fau Auction 122, 2 February 2023, lot 2607.
Titus sparingly struck a small undated issue of quinarii in either 79 or 80. This Roman Republican Victory type is copied from quinarii previously minted by Vespasian. It is a mystery as to why quinarii were minted during the imperial era. Were they struck to make up required sums for imperial donatives as A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins states? Or were they minted as presentation pieces to be given away at special occasions? The opening games of the Colosseum is one such contemporary event that comes to mind. Either way, imperial quinarii are very scarce today.
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