Author Topic: Titus: A life in coins (Read 5565 times)

David Atherton · « **on:** December 30, 2009, 04:13:32 am »

On this date in 39 AD in an unpretentious house in Rome near the Septizonium, Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born. In recognition of his birth, I decided to post a few denarii from my collection.

First up, a denarius of Vespasian minted in Rome that announces his intentions of founding a dynasty. Titus is featured on the reverse with his brother Domitian.

RIC 16, BMCRE 2, RSC 5
Rome Mint, 69-70 A.D.
Obv - IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - avg f cos' target='_blank'>CAESAR AVG F COS avg f pr' target='_blank'>CAESAR AVG F PR; Bare heads of Titus on l. and Domitian on r., facing one another.

David Atherton · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:16:31 am »

Another dynastic type: This time Titus can be seen on horseback with Domitian.

RIC 5 (R), BMCRE p. 7. RSC 539
Rome Mint, 69-70 AD
Obv - IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian riding r., hands outstretched

David Atherton · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:18:38 am »

Another dynastic issue featuring Titus and Domitian as magistrates.

RIC 6, BMCRE 45 note, RSC 541
Rome mint, 69-70 A.D.
Obv - IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian, togate, seated l. side by side on curule chairs, each holding branch extended in r. hand, l. hands at sides.

David Atherton · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:21:34 am »

A dynastic issue from Ephesus.

RIC 1411, BMCRE 443, RSC 249
Ephesus mint, 70 A.D.
Obv - IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - imp avg vespas' target='_blank'>LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS; Titus and Domitian, togate, veiled, standing l., each holding patera in r. hand, l. hands at sides.

David Atherton · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:28:28 am »

Titus' first major role in securing the dynasty was his capture of Jerusalem in 70 AD. He returned to Rome in the spring of 71. This coin from Rome, featuring Neptune 'the home-bringer', celebrates his return.

RIC 366 (Vesp), BMC 80 (Vesp), RSC 121
Rome Mint, 72-73 ADT CAESA
Obv - T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT; Titus, bearded, laureate, r.
Rev - NEP RED; Neptune stg l., r. foot on globe, with acrostolium and sceptre.

David Atherton · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:32:13 am »

Coins were minted to commemorate the Roman victory over Judaea. This rare denarius from Rome shows a symbolic palm tree representing Judaea and a weeping Jewess representing the people of Judaea with the victorious Titus.

RIC 369 (Vesp), BMCRE 85 (Vesp), RSC 392var
Rome Mint, 72-73 AD
Obv - T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT; Head of Titus, bearded, laureate, r.
Rev - No legend. Jewess (as type of Judaea), draped, veiled, seated r. under palm-tree, in attitude of dejection, knees drawn up, head resting on l. hand, l. arm propped on knee; behind palm, prince in military dress, standing r., r. foot on helmet, holding vertical spear in r. hand and parazonium in l.

David Atherton · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:37:38 am »

Here is the same type from Antioch.

RIC 1562 (Vesp), BMC 518(Vesp), RSC 392
Antioch Mint, 72-73 AD
Obv - T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT; Titus, laureate, r., bust draped.
Rev - No legend. Palm tree; to l., Titus stg. r. with spear and parazonium, foot on helmet; to r., Judaea std. r.

David Atherton · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:41:22 am »

Titus celebrated a joint triumph with Vespasian later in 71 for the Roman victory over Judaea. This type from Rome celebrates the triumph.

RIC 371 (Vesp), BMCRE p.15, RSC 394
Rome Mint, 72-73AD
Obv - T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - No Legend; Titus stg. r. with branch and sceptre, in quadriga r.

David Atherton · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:42:59 am »

The same type from Antioch.

RIC V1563 (C), BMC V521, RSC 395
Antioch mint, 72-73 AD
Obv - T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT; Bust of Titus, laureate, bearded, draped, r.
Rev - No legend; Titus stg. r. with branch and sceptre, in quadriga r.

David Atherton · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:47:21 am »

Most of the denarii types minted were shared with Vespasian. The obverse legend here shows Titus held the censorship with Vespasian in 74.

RIC 528 (Vesp), BMC 91a (Vesp), RSC 87b
Rome Mint, 73 AD
Obv - T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT CENS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - FIDES PVBL; Hands clasped over caduceus, two poppies and two corn-ears.

David Atherton · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:54:58 am »

This denarius is the first issue of Titus as emperor after Vespasian's death in June 79. The reverse again commemorates the Roman victory over the Jews 9 years before.

RIC 1, BMCRE 1, RSC 334a
Rome Mint, 23 June-1 July 79 A.D.
Obverse- IMP T CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev.- TR POT VIII COS VII; Male captive kneeling r., hands bound behind back, in front of trophy, consisting of helmet, cuirass, crossed swords (?), and round shield.

David Atherton · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:01:02 am »

This type minted later in 79 possibly celebrates a British victory by Agricola. Rare with left facing portrait.

RIC 103(R2), BMC p. 230 note, RSC 307
Rome Mint, 80 AD
Obv - IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P; Captives, two, back to back, seated either side of trophy (woman on l., man on r.)

David Atherton · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:07:45 am »

A pulvinaria was celebrated early in 80. Debate over it's meaning is still ongoing: possibly either an appeal to the gods after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, or a part of the celebrations for the opening of the Colosseum.

Here is possibly the pulvinar of Neptune.

RIC 112, BMCRE 72, RSC 309
Rome mint A.D. 80
Obv - IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P; Dolphin coiled around anchor

David Atherton · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:16:30 am »

This elephant type celebrates the opening games of the Colosseum. Martial tells of an elephant who knelt before Titus after dispatching a bull during the games.

RIC 116 (C), BMC 47, RSC 304
Rome mint, 80 AD
Obv - IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev - TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P; Elephant, cuirassed, stg. l.

David Atherton · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:23:50 am »

Later in his reign, Titus minted coins in honor of his father Vespasian, now a god. This coin shows the ceremonial tensa.

RIC T361, BMCRE 119, RSC 146
Rome Mint, 80-81 A.D.
Obv - DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - EX S C in ex.; Slow tensa l., with car in form of small temple, showing front, with pediment and one side: in front, standing figure; on roof, , quadriga in centre, wreath-bearing Victories r. and l.; on side, two standing figures (Mars and Minerva?).

larsporsenna · « **Reply #15 on:** December 30, 2009, 12:26:34 pm »

good stuff!
its great to put these coins in historical context..or time line.
and if the events / dates, are not exact , what does it matter.
we will never know all the facts/dates , but what we do know is still amazing.
cinecias

Numerianus · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2009, 12:32:12 pm »

Splendid collections! I won recently several historical coins of Titus in low grades and even this
makes me happy...
Titus, Judaea Capta Denarius, 79AD.

Part of the very collectable Judaea Capta series
Obverse: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM, Laureate head right.
Reverse: TR P VIIII IMP X IIII COS VII PP, Jewish captive on one knee in front of trophy.
RIC 11.

ancientdave · « **Reply #17 on:** December 30, 2009, 01:23:13 pm »

Wow, some truly gorgeous coins there, David! I need to collect more denarii, if only the bronzes will let go of me for a moment! Happy Birthday, Titus!

Jay GT4 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:26:19 pm »

I always enjoy looking at your coins David even more so in this context. If you don't mind I'll add one of my own.

Issued by Titus in honour of his father Divus Vespasian

DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS
laureate head of Vespasian right
SC on circular shield supported by two capricorns back to back, globe below

Rome 80 AD

David Atherton · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:30:27 pm »

Thank you all for the kind words.

Dave, with those bronzes you have you can certainly tell a good tale!

Jay, a splendid example you have there. Not a bad Idea at all if anyone wishes to post any coins of Titus they like.

Happy Birthday Titus!

Numerianus · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:15:40 pm »

Titus, as Ceasar, Denarius. 77 AD. T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head right / COS VI, Mars advancing left with trophy and spear. RIC 195 (Vespasian), RSC 65.

Jay GT4 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:24:49 pm »

That's a really nice one Numerianus!

Here's one of Titus to match Vespasian's Capricorns:

IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM
Laureate head of Titus right

TR P VIIII IMP XII COS VII P P
Capricorn left, globe below

Rome 79 AD

Numerianus · « **Reply #22 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:13:25 pm »

T CAESAR VESPASIANVS, laurate head right/
IMP XIII, sow walkging left with three young.
RIC220, RSC104.

David Atherton · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2009, 08:32:16 pm »

Very nice Titus denarii Numerianus!

The toning on your Judaea Capta type is superb.

Numerianus · « **Reply #24 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:55:41 am »

I dare to show some coins not in a good shape.
Ephesus mint, late 69 - early 70 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES VESPAS AVG, laureate head right; reverse imp avg vespas' target='_blank'>LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS, Titus and Domitian standing facing, each holding patera.
RIC II 315, Cohen 248.

It is worn, but still has some attractive force. To my observation the reverse is the most rare
for this type. How should one interperete the reverse legend?

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Author Topic: Titus: A life in coins (Read 5565 times)

larsporsenna