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RIC 089 Titus
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AR Denarius, 3.31g
Rome Mint, 79-80 AD
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: BONVS EVENTVS AVGVSTI; Bonus Eventus stg. l., with patera and corn ears and poppy
RIC 89 (C). BMC 106. RSC 25. BNC 83.
Acquired from Apollo Numismatics, January 2006.
Bonus Eventus, 'good outcome', is sometimes depicted as a naked youth with strong agricultural imagery holding corn ears and poppies. The type is undoubtedly based on a cult image. Pliny mentions two famous statues of Bonus Eventus in a similar pose - one in marble by Praxiteles, the other in bronze by Euphranor. BMCRE speculates this undated denarius of Titus may follow a Neronian tradition, alluding to Egypt and the corn supply.
This is not one of Titus' easiest reverse types to find! I spent the best part of a year looking for a VF or better example in good style.
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