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RIC 0517 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]
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AR Denarius, 3.10g
Rome mint, 73 AD
Obv: T CAES IMP VESP CEN; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: SALVS AVG; Salus std. l., with patera
RIC 517 (R). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
An early rare denarius of Titus as Caesar struck in 73 AD. Titus shared the Salus type with Vespasian for whom it was produced in much larger quantities. This was the norm, the two often shared reverse types to clearly demonstrate that Titus was indeed Vespasian's successor, although the types are much rarer for Titus, as is this case with the present coin. Why Salus was chosen for a type in 73 remains a mystery; perhaps a reference to the emperor recovering from an illness or for escaping an assassination plot.
RIC only cites the Hunterian Museum, which is odd considering it is given a 'rare' rating. I've only seen this one in trade. IMHO it is just as rare as the RIC V518 salus (CENS) I have with a frequency rating of R2.
A humble portrait with fairly clear legends on a nicely toned flan.
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