|
RIC 015 Titus
|
AR Denarius, 3.32g
Rome mint, 79 AD
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, bearded, laureate, r.
Rev: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII; Venus stg. r., leaning on column with helmet and spear
RIC 15 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Issued after July 1, 79 AD, this coin is part of a rare series of denarii Titus issued in the weeks after he became Augustus. The lack of P P in the reverse legend indicates this is a very early issue and the TR P VIIII in the legend tells us this coin was issued after July 1st, the date when the tribunician was awarded. There were two more issues minted later on in the same year, this coin most likely dates to July/August of 79 AD.
There seems to have been a very smooth transition of power to Titus after Vespasian's death, perhaps a reflection of the fact that Titus was co-emperor under his father all but in name. None of the coin types celebrate the new Augustus, as a matter of fact the reverse types of 79 were mainly a continuation of those last issues minted under Vespasian.
A pleasing Vespasianic portrait.
|
|