I finally got one!

[David Atherton]

This denarius of Titus, though humble in apperance, is to me quite a thrilling addition to my collection. I have been looking for this type in at least VF condition for a long time.

A carry over type from Vespasian's coinage, the reverse depicts a figure (statue?) on top of a rostral column. I'm at a loss concering what it symbolizes. The BMCRE suggests that it is the colossus erected by Vespasian near the Colosseum with the features of either Nero or Titus. Another theory is that the column celebrates a Naval victory from the Jewish War (perhaps the Sea of Galilee?). Either way I love this reverse.

BMCRE 29, RSC 289
Rome Mint, 79 AD

[Jochen]

Hi Vespasian!

A very nice coin! About the meaning of the rev. we have had a thread https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=11892.msg83115#msg83115

Best regards

[Potator II]

Hi Vespasian70,

I'm glad you could get it, it's a  very nice addition to your tremendous collection.
Congratulations

Regards
Potator

[David Atherton]

Thanks Jochen for the link...the debate continues about the reverse. After rereading Curtis' comments concerning it most likely not a Judaean commerative, I'm inclined to believe the same. A revival of an Augustan reverse is the likely ansewer...but why that particular one and what did it orginally symbolize?

Thank you for the kind words Potator. I have worked hard on putting together my humble little collection and it's nice to hear someone who enjoys it.

[Noah]

Great!  Your collection is growing wonderfully!  Congrats on a really nice coin.

Best, Noah

[Vladimir]

Congratulations Vespasian,  may I ask which  denarius  from you collection is rarest ? Which one was hardest to get? Do you have a favorite coin?

[David Atherton]

Vladimir,

My rarest denarius would have to be this one https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=241&pos=18 which I believe will be a plate coin in the upcoming RIC IIa.

The Titus rostral column denarius along with this one https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=1192&pos=18 are right up there with the hardest ones for me to obtain. Though they are listed as rare, I'm not sure why they were that difficult to find.

My favorite changes...but may be a tie between these two: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=1192&pos=3   
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=241&pos=0

[slokind]

I think your IOVIS CVSTOS is about the nicest denarius I ever saw, its portrait, too.  Pat L.

[Numerianus]

Nice coin of the major historical interest.
Definitely, we have a numerous numismatic evidences of a  naval "battle of the century". 
Is it really missing in the available historical records?
Was the battle on the lake a minor skirmish?
As we know, Vespasian was a brilliant military commander and his
troops could easily fight against outnumbering enemy forces on the land,
probably, even if the ratio was 1:10.  On the lake the advantage of Romans
was far from being obvious and destroying enemies sailing
on the lake was a tough problem since the Roman navy was far away.  That is why
Vespasian and Titus could be proud to solve it so efficiently.

 

[maridvnvm]

It is another wonderful coin amongst a very targeted collection in terms of quality and selection.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Martin

[David Atherton]

Numerianus,

Even though this coin most likely doesn't commemorate a naval victory, there are other coins issued by Vespasian which do....begging the question: what naval victory? I'm at a loss for the reason or event. The Sea of Galilee 'battle' was more of a mopping up action by the army, as Curtis has pointed out in the other thread. Perhaps some battle near the coast (Joppa?) may be the answer.

Thank you Noah, Pat and Martin for the compliments. It's always a pleasure sharing my coins with pleasant and knowledgeable people and I always look forward to seeing your coins too.