A Coin From the Summer of 69

[David Atherton]

69 AD that is. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-137460

Alexandria in that fateful summer during the Year of the Four Emperors struck a rare tetradrachm which basically announced Vespasian's intention to have Titus succeed him. I was lucky enough to acquire one of these very recently.

[archivum]

Not the Summer of Love strictly speaking, but still a remarkable coin! But your posting assigns Titus' legend to Vespasian's image and vice versa; I'm not sure that was really the plan.

[David Atherton]

Not the Summer of Love strictly speaking, but still a remarkable coin! But your posting assigns Titus' legend to Vespasian's image and vice versa; I'm not sure that was really the plan.

They have the same name and the legends are correct. 'AYT' is the key. 

[archivum]

Right, I know they're distinct; but should we not assume that the image to go with T.'s legend is his not his father's?

[David Atherton]

Right, I know they're distinct; but should we not assume that the image to go with T.'s legend is his not his father's?

I think you misunderstood me. 'Vespasian' and 'Titus' both have the same name - Titus Flavius Vespasianus. The 'T' is missing from Titus' name on the reverse. Trust me, the legends are correct.

[archivum]

This is what I am talikg about, from your Gallery posting --

Alexandria mint, 69 AD RPC 2405 (6 spec.)
Obv: AYT TIT ΦΛAYI OYEΣΠAΣIAN KAIΣ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., date LA before neck
Rev: ΦΛΑΥΙ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ; laureate and cuirassed bust of Titus, r. --

although father and son look alike, surely it's a debatable claim that the father instead of the son is the one pictured here with the title TIT ΦΛAYI.

[David Atherton]

This is what I am talikg about, from your Gallery posting --

Alexandria mint, 69 AD RPC 2405 (6 spec.)
Obv: AYT TIT ΦΛAYI OYEΣΠAΣIAN KAIΣ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., date LA before neck
Rev: ΦΛΑΥΙ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ; laureate and cuirassed bust of Titus, r. --

although father and son look alike, surely it's a debatable claim that the father instead of the son is the one pictured here with the title TIT ΦΛAYI.

It's not a 'debatable claim'. That is Vespasian on the obverse with the proper titles. Regnal year one coins at Alexandria all have this title for him, with or without Titus Caesar on the reverse! Titus Caesar's legend sometimes was struck without the 'T' at Alexandria and Antioch, and it is most certainly him on the reverse.

[archivum]

So what you wish to say is that Vespasian is pictured on the obverse, but called Titus? Now that's quite surprising, to me anyway.

[David Atherton]

So what you wish to say is that Vespasian is pictured on the obverse, but called Titus? Now that's quite surprising, to me anyway.

His name is Titus Flavius Vespasianus, so it should not come as a shock.

[archivum]

I was so tired of having Titus mistaken for his father I forgot it could equally happen the other way around!