| Image search results - "Incitatus" |
(04) CALIGULA37-41 AD
Struck 37-38 AD
AE as 26 mm. 9/7 g
O: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, bare head left.
R: VESTA above, S C across field, Vesta seated left, holding patera and sceptre.
Rome; Cohen 27. RCV 1803. laney
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(11) TITUS79 - 81 AD
Struck 80-81 AD
AE orichalcum dupondius 27mm, 11.2g.
O: IMP T VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII, radiate head left.
R: SECVRITAS P R, Securitas seated left, holding sceptre; lighted and garlanded altar before; SC below
Rome. RIC II 119 var.laney
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0055 - Denarius Acilia 49 BCObv/Head of Salus r., SALVTIS behind.
Rev/MN ACILIVS III VIR VALETV, Salus standing l. holding serpent.
Ag, 20.0mm, 3.89g
Moneyer: Mn. Acilius Glabrio.
Mint: Rome.
RRC 442/1a [dies o/r: 651/723 (1a+1b)] - Syd. 922 - BMCRR Rome 3944 - RCV 412 - RSC Acilia 8, 8a - Calicó 66.
ex-Incitatus Coins (vcoins)dafnis
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0056 - Denarius Septimius Severus 201 ACObv/SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head of Septimius Severus r.
Rev/FUNDATOR PACIS, Septimius, veiled, standing l., holding branch and roll.
Ag, 19.0mm, 3.33g
Mint: Rome.
RIC IVa/265 [C] - Cohen 205 - BMCRE p.217, 330 - RSC 205 - RCV 6282.
ex-Incitatus Coins (vcoins)dafnis
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0057 - Denarius Septimius Severus 201 ACObv/SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head of Septimius r.
Rev/PART MAX PM TR P VIIII, trophy and two captives.
Ag, 18.5mm, 3.37g
Mint: Rome.
RIC IVa/176 [C] - Cohen 370
ex-Incitatus Coins (vcoins)dafnis
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04 Gaius (Caligula) RIC I 2Gaius (Caligula) 37-41 A.D. AR Denarius. Lugdunum (Lyons) Mint 37 AD. (3.3g, 18.5mm, 2h). Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT COS, bare head right. Rev: anepigraphic, Augustus, radiate head right between two stars. RIC I 2, BMC 4, Sear 1808. Ex personal collection Steve McBride/Incitatus Coins.
Son of Germanicus, Gaius was adopted by Tiberius and was proclaimed Emperor on Tiberius’ death. His reign, marked by cruelty, was ended when he was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard. There is some question when the Imperial Mint was moved from Lugdunum to Rome, but the majority view holds at least Gaius’ early issues were still from Lugdunum.
With more than moderate wear and damage, this coin still has an almost complete obverse legend, and is a decent weight. It was very difficult for me to track down a denarius of Gaius. Lucas H
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14 Hadrian RIC 101Hadrian 117-138 AD. AR Denarius. Rome Mint. 123 AD. (3.48g, 18.45mm) Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Laureate head right. Rev: P M TR P COS III, Victory flying right with trophy.
RIC 101; RSC 1132; BMC 215
Ex: Incitatus Coins, Vcoins Paddy
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14 Hadrian RIC 276Hadrian 117-138 AD. AR Denarius. Rome Mint. 134-138 AD. Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head right. Rev: TELLVS STABIL, Tellus Stabil standing left holding plow & rake, corn growing to right.
RIC 276; RSC 1425
Ex: Incitatus CoinsPaddy
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15 Antoninus Pius RIC 301ANTONINUS PIUS 138-161 AD. AR Denarius. Rome Mint. 159-160 AD. (3.5g; 17mm) Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIII, Laureate head right. Rev: PACI AVG COS IIII, Pax standing left, holding branch in one hand and scepter in the other. ., .
RIC 301; BMC 981; C 573
Ex: Incitatus Coins, VcoinsPaddy
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15 Faustina I RIC 1105Faustina I 138-140 AD. AE Sestertius. Rome Mint. Posthumous commemorative of 141-161 AD. (24.18g, 32.58mm) Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, Draped bust right. Rev: AETERNITAS S-C, Aeternitas standing left holding phoenix on globe and holding up skirt.
RIC 1105
Ex: Incitatus Coins, VcoinsPaddy
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44 BC Julius Caesar Lifetime Portrait denariusCAESAR DICT PERPETVO
laureate head of Julius Caesar right
L BVCA
Venus seated right holding Victory on extended right hand, transverse scepter in left
Struck Feb - Mar 14th, 44 BC.
3.58g
RCV 1410, RSC 24.
Venus seated' only appears on this one type of Caesar's 'lifetime' issues, on the remainder she is standing.
Lucius Aemilius Buca was a distant relative of the dictator Sulla. This coin was struck within a month of Caesar's murder.
Ex-Incitatus, Ex-CNG Electronic Auction 223, lot 393Jay GT4
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49 Diocletian RIC 29DIOCLETIAN 284-305 AD. AE large silvered follis. Nicomedia mint, 303-304 AD. (28mm, 8.6g) Obv: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, Laureate head right. Rev: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, pouring a libation from patera & holding cornucopiae, SMN in exergue.
RIC 29
Ex: Incitatus CoinsPaddy
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54 BC M. Junius Brutus AR Denarius.LIBERTAS
bust of Libertas right
BRVTVS in ex
Consul L Junius Brutus, between two lictors, preceeded by accensus, all walking left, .
Rome, 54 BC.
3.61g
Syd 906, Cr433/1, Junia 31.
Ex-IncitatusJay GT4
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709a, Vitellius, 2 January - 20 December 69 A.D.VITELLIUS AR silver denarius. RSC 72, RCV 2200. 19mm, 3.2 g. Obverse: A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head right; Reverse - PONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right, holding scepter and patera. Quite decent. Ex. Incitatus Coins. Photo courtesy of Incitatus Coins.
De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families
Vitellius (69 A.D.)
John F. Donahue
College of William and Mary
It is often difficult to separate fact from fiction in assessing the life and reign of Vitellius. Maligned in the ancient sources as gluttonous and cruel, he was also a victim of a hostile biographical tradition established in the regime of the Flavians who had overthrown him. Nevertheless, his decision to march against Rome in 69 was pivotal, since his subsequent defeat signalled the end of military anarchy and the beginning of an extended period of political stability under Vespasian and his successors.
Early Life and Career
Aulus Vitellius was born in September, 15 AD, the son of Lucius Vitellius and his wife Sestilia. One of the most successful public figures of the Julio-Claudian period, Lucius Vitellius was a three-time consul and a fellow censor with the emperor Claudius. Aulus seems to have moved with equal ease in aristocratic circles, successively winning the attention of the emperors Gaius, Claudius, and Nero through flattery and political skill.
Among his attested public offices, Vitellius was a curator of public works, a senatorial post concerned with the maintenance and repair of public buildings in Rome, and he was also proconsul of North Africa, where he served as a deputy to his brother, perhaps about 55 A. D. In addition, he held at least two priesthoods, the first as a member of the Arval Brethren, in whose rituals he participated from 57 A.D., and the second, as one of the quindecemviri sacris faciundis, a sacred college famous for its feasts.
With respect to marriage and family, Vitellius first wed a certain Petroniana, the daughter of a consul, sometime in the early to mid thirties A.D. The union produced a son, Petronianus, allegedly blind in one eye and emancipated from his father's control as a result of being named his mother's heir. Tradition records that Vitellius killed the boy shortly after emancipation amid charges of parricide; the marriage soon ended in divorce. A second marriage, to Galeria Fundana, daughter of an ex-praetor, was more stable than the first. It produced another son, who was eventually killed by the Flavians after the overthrow of Vitellius, as well as a daughter. Galeria is praised by Tacitus for her good qualities, and in the end it was she who saw to Vitellius' burial.
Rise to Power and Emperorship
Without doubt, the most fortuitous moment in Vitellius' political career was his appointment as governor of Lower Germany by the emperor Galba late in 68. The decision seemed to have caught everybody by surprise, including Vitellius himself, who, according to Suetonius, was in straitened circumstances at the time. The choice may have been made to reduce the possibility of rebellion by the Rhine armies, disaffected by Galba's refusal to reward them for their part in suppressing the earlier uprising of Julius Vindex. Ironically, it was Vitellius' lack of military achievement and his reputation for gambling and gluttony that may have also figured in his selection. Galba perhaps calculated that a man with little military experience who could now plunder a province to satisfy his own stomach would never become disloyal. If so, it was a critical misjudgement by the emperor.
The rebellion began on January 1, 69 ("The Year of the Four Emperors"), when the legions of Upper Germany refused to renew their oath of allegiance to Galba. On January 2, Vitellius' own men, having heard of the previous day's events, saluted him as emperor at the instigation of the legionary legate Fabius Valens and his colleagues. Soon, in addition to the seven legions that Vitellius now had at his command in both Germanies, the forces in Gaul, Britain, and Raetia also came over to his side. Perhaps aware of his military inexperience, Vitellius did not immediately march on Rome himself. Instead, the advance was led by Valens and another legionary general, Aulus Caecina Alienus, with each man commanding a separate column. Vitellius would remain behind to mobilize a reserve force and follow later.
Caecina was already one hundred fifty miles on his way when news reached him that Galba had been overthrown and Otho had taken his place as emperor. Undeterred, he passed rapidly down the eastern borders of Gaul; Valens followed a more westerly route, quelling a mutiny along the way. By March both armies had successfully crossed the Alps and joined at Cremona, just north of the Po. Here they launced their Batavian auxiliaries against Otho's troops and routed them in the First Battle of Bedriacum. Otho killed himself on April 16, and three days later the soldiers in Rome swore their allegience to Vitellius. The senate too hailed him as emperor.
When Vitellius learned of these developments, he set out to Rome from Gaul. By all accounts the journey was a drunken feast marked by the lack of discipline of both the troops and the imperial entourage. Along the way he stopped at Lugdunum to present his six-year-old son Germanicus to the legions as his eventual successor. Later, at Cremona, Vitellius witnessed the corpse-filled battlefield of Otho's recent defeat with joy, unmoved by so many citizens denied a proper burial.
The emperor entered Rome in late June-early July. Conscious of making a break with the Julio-Claudian past, Vitellius was reluctant to assume the traditional titles of the princes, even though he enthusiastically made offerings to Nero and declared himself consul for life. To his credit, Vitellius did seem to show a measure of moderation in the transition to the principate. He assumed his powers gradually and was generally lenient to Otho's supporters, even pardoning Otho's brother Salvius Titianus, who had played a key role in the earlier regime. In addition, he participated in Senate meetings and continued the practice of providing entertainments for the Roman masses. An important practical change involved the awarding of posts customarily held by freedmen to equites, an indication of the growth of the imperial bureaucracy and its attractiveness to men of ambition.
In other matters, he replaced the existing praetorian guard and urban cohorts with sixteen praetorian cohorts and four urban units, all comprised of soldiers from the German armies. According to Tacitus, the decision prompted a mad scramble, with the men, and not their officers, choosing the branch of service that they preferred. The situation was clearly unsatisfactory but not surprising, given that Vitellius was a creation of his own troops. To secure his position further, he sent back to their old postings the legions that had fought for Otho, or he reassigned them to distant provinces. Yet discontent remained: the troops who had been defeated or betrayed at Bedriacum remained bitter, and detachments of three Moesian legions called upon by Otho were returned to their bases, having agitated against Vitellius at Aquileia.
Flavian Revolt
The Vitellian era at Rome was short-lived. By mid-July news had arrived that the legions of Egypt under Tiberius Julius Alexander had sworn allegiance to a rival emperor, Titus Flavius Vespasianus, the governor of Judaea and a successful and popular general. Vespasian was to hold Egypt while his colleague Mucianus, governor of Syria, was to invade Italy. Before the plan could be enacted, however, the Danube legions, former supporters of Otho, joined Vespasian's cause. Under the leadership of Antonius Primus, commander of the Sixth legion in Pannonia, and Cornelius Fuscus, imperial procurator in Illyricum, the legions made a rapid descent on Italy.
Although his forces were only half of what Vitellius commanded in Italy, Primus struck first before the emperor could muster additional reinforcements from Germany. To make matters worse for the Vitellians, Valens was ill, and Caecina, now consul, had begun collaborating with the Flavians. His troops refused to follow his lead, however, and arrested him at Hostilia near Cremona. They then joined the rest of the Vitellian forces trying to hold the Po River. With Vitellius still in Rome and his forces virtually leaderless, the two sides met in October in the Second Battle of Bedriacum. The emperor's troops were soundly defeated and Cremona was brutally sacked by the victors. In addition, Valens, whose health had recovered, was captured while raising an army for Vitellius in Gaul and Germany; he was eventually executed.
Meanwhile, Primus continued towards Rome. Vitellius made a weak attempt to thwart the advance at the Apennine passes, but his forces switched to the Flavian side without a fight at Narnia in mid-December. At Rome, matters were no better. Vespasian's elder brother, Titus Flavius Sabinus, the city prefect, was successful in an effort to convince Vitellius to abdicate but was frustrated by the mob in Rome and the emperor's soldiers. Forced to flee to the Capitol, Sabinus was set upon by Vitellius' German troops and soon killed, with the venerable Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus set ablaze in the process. Within two days, the Flavian army fought its way into Rome. In a pathetic final move, Vitellius disguised himself in dirty clothing and hid in the imperial doorkeeper's quarters, leaning a couch and a mattress against the door for protection. Dragged from his hiding place by the Flavian forces, he was hauled off half-naked to the Forum, where he was tortured, killed, and tossed into the Tiber. The principate could now pass to Vespasian.
Assessment
Vitellius has not escaped the hostility of his biographers. While he may well have been gluttonous, his depiction as indolent, cruel, and extravagant is based almost entirely on the propaganda of his enemies. On the other hand, whatever moderating tendencies he did show were overshadowed by his clear lack of military expertise, a deficiency that forced him to rely in critical situations on largely inneffective lieutenants. As a result he was no match for his Flavian successors, and his humiliating demise was perfectly in keeping with the overall failure of his reign.
Copyright (C) 1999, John Donahue.
Published: De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm. Used by permission.
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr. Cleisthenes
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711a, Titus, 24 June 79 - 13 September 81 A.D. TITUS AUGUSTUS AR silver denarius. Struck at Rome, 80 AD. IMP TITVS CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG PM, laureate head right. Reverse - TRP IX IMP XV COS VIII PP, elephant walking left. Fully legible legends, about Very Fine, nice golden toning. Commemmorates the completion and dedication of the Colosseum and the opening of games. SCARCE. RCV 2512, valued at $544 in EF. 17mm, 3.1g. Ex Incitatus.
De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families
Titus Flavius Vespasianus (A.D. 79-81)
John Donahue
College of William and Mary
Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born on December 30, 39 A.D. He was the oldest of the three children of the founder of the Flavian Dynasty, Vespasian. Beginning in the year 70 Titus was named Cæsar and coregent; he was highly educated and a brilliant poet and orator in both Latin and Greek. He won military fame during the Jewish Revolt of 69-70. In April, 70, he appeared before the walls of Jerusalem, and conquered and destroyed the city after a siege of five months. He wished to preserve the Temple, but in the struggle with the Jews who rushed out of it a soldier threw a brand into the building. The siege and taking of the city were accompanied by barbarous cruelties. The next year Titus celebrated his victory by a triumph; to increase the fame of the Flavian dynasty the inscription on the triumphal arch represented the overthrow of the helpless people as a heroic achievement. Titus succeeded his father as Emperor in 79.
Before becoming emperor, tradition records that Titus was feared as the next Nero, a perception that may have developed from his association with Berenice, his alleged heavy-handedness as praetorian prefect, and tales of sexual debauchery. Once in office, however, both emperor and his reign were portrayed in universally positive terms. The suddenness of this transformation raises immediate suspicions, yet it is difficult to know whether the historical tradition is suspect or if Titus was in fact adept at taking off one mask for another. What is clear, however, is that Titus sought to present the Flavians as the legitimate successors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Proof came through the issuing of a series of restoration coins of previous emperors, the most popular being Augustus and Claudius. In A.D. 80 Titus also set out to establish an imperial cult in honor of Vespasian. The temple, in which cult (the first that was not connected with the Julio-Claudians) was housed, was completed by Domitian and was known as the Temple of Vespasian and Domitian.
Legitimacy was also sought through various economic measures, which Titus enthusiastically funded. Vast amounts of capital poured into extensive building schemes in Rome, especially the Flavian Amphitheater, popularly known as the Colosseum. In celebration of additions made to the structure, Titus provided a grand 100-day festival, with sea fights staged on an artificial lake, infantry battles, wild beast hunts, and similar activities. He also constructed new imperial baths to the south-east of the Amphitheater and began work on the celebrated Arch of Titus, a memorial to his Jewish victories. Large sums were directed to Italy and the provinces as well, especially for road building. In response to the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79, Titus spent large sums to relieve distress in that area; likewise, the imperial purse contributed heavily to rebuilding Rome after a devastating fire destroyed large sections of the city in A.D. 80. As a result of these actions, Titus earned a reputation for generosity and geniality. For these reasons he gained the honourable title of "amor et deliciæ generis humani" (the darling and admiration of the human race). Even so, his financial acumen must not be under-estimated. He left the treasury with a surplus, as he had found it, and dealt promptly and efficiently with costly natural disasters. The Greek historian of the third-century A.D., Cassius Dio, perhaps offered the most accurate and succinct assessment of Titus' economic policy: "In money matters, Titus was frugal and made no unnecessary expenditure." In other areas, the brevity of Titus' reign limits our ability to detect major emphases or trends in policy. As far as can be discerned from the limited evidence, senior officials and amici were well chosen, and his legislative activity tended to focus on popular social measures, with the army as a particular beneficiary in the areas of land ownership, marriage, and testamentary freedom. In the provinces, Titus continued his father's policies by strengthening roads and forts in the East and along the Danube.
Titus died in September, A.D. 81 after only 26 months in office. Suetonius recorded that Titus died on his way to the Sabine country of his ancestors in the same villa as his father. A competing tradition persistently implicated his brother and successor, Domitian, as having had a hand in the emperor's demise, but the evidence is highly contradictory and any wrongdoing is difficult to prove. Domitian himself delivered the funeral eulogy and had Titus deified. He also built several monuments in honor of Titus and completed the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, changing the name of the structure to include his brother's and setting up his cult statue in the Temple itself.
Titus was the beneficiary of considerable intelligence and talent, endowments that were carefully cultivated at every step of his career, from his early education to his role under his father's principate. Cassius Dio suggested that Titus' reputation was enhanced by his early death. It is true that the ancient sources tend to heroicize Titus, yet based upon the evidence, his reign must be considered a positive one. He capably continued the work of his father in establishing the Flavian Dynasty and he maintained a high degree of economic and administrative competence in Italy and beyond. In so doing, he solidified the role of the emperor as paternalistic autocrat, a model that would serve Trajan and his successors well. Titus was used as a model by later emperors, especially those known as the Five Good Emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius).
Copyright (C) 1997, John Donahue.
Published: De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm. Used by permission.
Catholic Encyclopedia, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14746b.htm
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.Cleisthenes
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711a, Titus, 24 June 79 - 13 September 81 A.D.Titus, 24 June 79 - 13 September 81 A.D. AR denarius, RCV 2512, aVF, struck at Rome, 80 A.D., 17.5mm, 3.4g. Obverse: IMP TITVS CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG PM, laureate head right; Reverse: TRP IX IMP XV COS VIII PP, elephant walking left. Fully legible legends; nice golden toning. This coin was struck in order to commemorate the completion and dedication of the Flavian Amphitheatre (the Colosseum) and its opening games. Very scarce. Ex Incitatus; photo courtesy Incitatus.
De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families
Titus Flavius Vespasianus (A.D. 79-81)
John Donahue
College of William and Mary
Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born on December 30, 39 A.D. He was the oldest of the three children of the founder of the Flavian Dynasty, Vespasian. Beginning in the year 70 Titus was named Cæsar and coregent; he was highly educated and a brilliant poet and orator in both Latin and Greek. He won military fame during the Jewish Revolt of 69-70. In April, 70, he appeared before the walls of Jerusalem, and conquered and destroyed the city after a siege of five months. He wished to preserve the Temple, but in the struggle with the Jews who rushed out of it a soldier threw a brand into the building. The siege and taking of the city were accompanied by barbarous cruelties. The next year Titus celebrated his victory by a triumph; to increase the fame of the Flavian dynasty the inscription on the triumphal arch represented the overthrow of the helpless people as a heroic achievement. Titus succeeded his father as Emperor in 79.
Before becoming emperor, tradition records that Titus was feared as the next Nero, a perception that may have developed from his association with Berenice, his alleged heavy-handedness as praetorian prefect, and tales of sexual debauchery. Once in office, however, both emperor and his reign were portrayed in universally positive terms. The suddenness of this transformation raises immediate suspicions, yet it is difficult to know whether the historical tradition is suspect or if Titus was in fact adept at taking off one mask for another. What is clear, however, is that Titus sought to present the Flavians as the legitimate successors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Proof came through the issuing of a series of restoration coins of previous emperors, the most popular being Augustus and Claudius. In A.D. 80 Titus also set out to establish an imperial cult in honor of Vespasian. The temple, in which cult (the first that was not connected with the Julio-Claudians) was housed, was completed by Domitian and was known as the Temple of Vespasian and Domitian.
Legitimacy was also sought through various economic measures, which Titus enthusiastically funded. Vast amounts of capital poured into extensive building schemes in Rome, especially the Flavian Amphitheater, popularly known as the Colosseum. In celebration of additions made to the structure, Titus provided a grand 100-day festival, with sea fights staged on an artificial lake, infantry battles, wild beast hunts, and similar activities. He also constructed new imperial baths to the south-east of the Amphitheater and began work on the celebrated Arch of Titus, a memorial to his Jewish victories. Large sums were directed to Italy and the provinces as well, especially for road building. In response to the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79, Titus spent large sums to relieve distress in that area; likewise, the imperial purse contributed heavily to rebuilding Rome after a devastating fire destroyed large sections of the city in A.D. 80. As a result of these actions, Titus earned a reputation for generosity and geniality. For these reasons he gained the honourable title of "amor et deliciæ generis humani" (the darling and admiration of the human race). Even so, his financial acumen must not be under-estimated. He left the treasury with a surplus, as he had found it, and dealt promptly and efficiently with costly natural disasters. The Greek historian of the third-century A.D., Cassius Dio, perhaps offered the most accurate and succinct assessment of Titus' economic policy: "In money matters, Titus was frugal and made no unnecessary expenditure." In other areas, the brevity of Titus' reign limits our ability to detect major emphases or trends in policy. As far as can be discerned from the limited evidence, senior officials and amici were well chosen, and his legislative activity tended to focus on popular social measures, with the army as a particular beneficiary in the areas of land ownership, marriage, and testamentary freedom. In the provinces, Titus continued his father's policies by strengthening roads and forts in the East and along the Danube.
Titus died in September, A.D. 81 after only 26 months in office. Suetonius recorded that Titus died on his way to the Sabine country of his ancestors in the same villa as his father. A competing tradition persistently implicated his brother and successor, Domitian, as having had a hand in the emperor's demise, but the evidence is highly contradictory and any wrongdoing is difficult to prove. Domitian himself delivered the funeral eulogy and had Titus deified. He also built several monuments in honor of Titus and completed the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, changing the name of the structure to include his brother's and setting up his cult statue in the Temple itself.
Titus was the beneficiary of considerable intelligence and talent, endowments that were carefully cultivated at every step of his career, from his early education to his role under his father's principate. Cassius Dio suggested that Titus' reputation was enhanced by his early death. It is true that the ancient sources tend to heroicize Titus, yet based upon the evidence, his reign must be considered a positive one. He capably continued the work of his father in establishing the Flavian Dynasty and he maintained a high degree of economic and administrative competence in Italy and beyond. In so doing, he solidified the role of the emperor as paternalistic autocrat, a model that would serve Trajan and his successors well. Titus was used as a model by later emperors, especially those known as the Five Good Emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius).
Copyright (C) 1997, John Donahue.
Published: De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm. Used by permission.
Catholic Encyclopedia, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14746b.htm
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.Cleisthenes
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ANONYMOUS issue AR silver quadrigatus. Janiform head, Jupiter in quadrigaRoman Republic AR silver quadrigatus (didrachm). Struck 225-212 BC. Laureate, Janiform head facing left/right. Reverse - Jupiter holding scepter and hurling thunderbolt in chariot driven by Victory; ROMA incuse on square tablet. Crawford 28/3, RCV 32. 22mm, 6.3g. Scarce.
Edge crack and some isolated corrosion, otherwise nicely toned and quite attractive.
Ex Incitatus CoinsPhiloromaos
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Antoninianus; FELICITAS TEMP; RIC 31Philip I. AR antoninianus. 22mm, 4.0g. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate draped & cuirassed bust right. Reverse - FELICITAS TEMP, Felicitas standing left with caduceus & cornucopiae. RIC 31, RSC 43, Sear RCV (2005) 8928. Ex Incitatus.Podiceps
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Antony & Octavia tetradrachm Silver Cistophorus
M ANTONIVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT
Head of Antony right, wreathed with ivy, lituus below, all within ivy wreath
III VIR R P C
Draped bust of Octavia right above cista mystica flanked by two snakes
Ephesus, summer-autumn 39 BC
10.42g
Sear 1512, RPC 2201
Ex-Incitatus
This issue commemorates the marriage between Antony and Octavia and also celebrates Antony as "the new Dionysus". The honor was bestowed on Antony in 41 BC when he arrived in Ephesus. Antony is named as Imperator and Consul designate for the second and third time. This fixes the date towards the end of 39 BC. after the pact of Misenum in July. At that time the consular designations were agreed upon for the next eight years. However it must also be dated before the winter of 39-38 BC when Antony was acclaimed as Imperator for the second time.
Octavia is not specifically mentioned by name, but certainly there can be no doubt it is her image found on the reverse given the time this coin was minted.Jay GT4
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Ariobarzanes I Philoromaios Drachm HGC 7, 846Ariobarzanes I Philoromaios AR drachm
3.90g, 20.0mm, 0 degrees, Kingdom of Cappadocia. Eusebeia under Mount Argaios Mint A, Regnal year 30 (65-64 BCE)
Attribution: HGC 7, 846. Simonetta 34.
O: Diademed head of Ariobarzanes I to right.
R: BAΣIΛEΩΣ APIOBAPZAN ΦIΛOPΩMAIOY, Athena standing left, holding Nike in right hand, resting left on shield set on ground behind her; spear behind; to inner left, ΓA monogram; in exergue, AΛ.
Ex-Incitatus CoinsRon C2
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As; CONCORDIA AVGGOTACILIA SEVERA AE as. 26mm, 8.3g. MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG, diademed & draped bust facing right. Reverse - CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, holding patera & double cornucopia. Sear RCV 9178. A scarce denomination. Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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Athens Attica Owl TetradrachmAthens Attica Owl Tetradrachm
440-420 BC
25 mm, 16.3g
Ex Steve McBride, Incitatus coins.
Classical Owl Type B, similar to the one from SNG Munich 52.JayAg47
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Attica Classical Owl TetradrachmAthens Attica Owl Tetradrachm
440-420 BC
25 mm, 16.3g
Ex Steve McBride, Incitatus coins.
Classical Owl Type B, similar to the one from SNG Munich 52.
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AUGUSTUS & PTOLEMY OF NUMIDIA AE semisAVGVSTVS DIVI F
bare head of Augustus right
C LAETILIVS APALVS II V Q, REX PTOL (Ptolemy, King) within diadem
Carthago Nova, Spain, under sole 'duovir quinqunennales' C Laetilius Apalus.
18.5mm, 5.3g.
RPC 172.
Ex-Incitatus
Ptolemy of Numidia was the son of King Juba II of Numidia and Cleopatra Selene II. He was also the grandson of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII on his mohter's side. He was named in honor of the memory of Cleopatra VII, the birthplace of his mother and the birthplace of her relatives. In choosing her son's name, Cleopatra Selene II created a distinct Greek-Egyptian tone and emphasized her role as the monarch who would continue the Ptolemaic dynasty. She by-passed the ancestral names of her husband. By naming her son Ptolemy instead of a Berber ancestral name, she offers an example rare in ancient history, especially in the case of a son who is the primary male heir, of reaching into the mother's family instead of the father's for a name. This emphasized the idea that his mother was the heiress of the Ptolemies and the leader of a Ptolemaic government in exile.
Through his parents he received Roman citizenship and was actually educated in Rome. Amazingly he grew up in the house of his maternal aunt, and Antony's daughter Antonia Minor, the youngest daughter of Mark Antony and the youngest niece of Augustus. Antonia was also a half-sister of Ptolemy's late mother, also a daughter of Mark Antony. Antonia Minor's mother was Octavia Minor, Mark Antony's fourth wife and the second sister of Octavian (later Augustus). Ptolemy lived in Rome until the age of 21, when he returned to the court of his aging father in Mauretania.
Ptolemy was a co-ruler with his father Juba II until Juba's death and was the last semi-autonomous ruler of Africa. On a visit to Rome in 40 AD he was seen by the Emperor Caligula in an amphitheather wearing a spectacular purpal cloak. A jealous Caligula had him murdered for his fashionable purple cloak.
Sold to Calgary Coin Feb 2017Jay GT4
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AUGUSTUS (27 BC-14 AD), AE as, struck ca. 7 BC, moneyer M. Salvius OthoObverse- CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNEC POT, bare head of Augustus right.
Reverse - M SALVIVS OTHO III VIR AAA F F around large S C.
RIC 431, 27.5mm, 11.4g.
NGC VG (Strike 3/5, Surfaces 4/5), cert. #4094567-002.
Ex-Incitatus Coins, Canada, May 2007, through VCoins store (purchased raw).
Comments: I find it interesting that the moneyer's name on this coin is the same as that of the emperor Otho who ruled 76 years later. I suspect the circa-7 BC moneyer named on this coin was the grandfather of that short-lived 69 AD emperor. This coin was part of my first Roman collection, was sold in 2008, and bought back in August 2011.lordmarcovan
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Augustus Æ 26 CAESAR
Bare head of Augustus right
AVGVSTVS
in Laurel wreath
Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch mint
26mm, 13.6g.
RIC 486, RPC 2235
Scarce.
ex-Incitatus
Wildwinds example
Old cleaning scratches on both sides are not as pronounced in hand.
New photoJay GT4
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Aurelian Antoninianus, Cohen 263; Sear5 11616IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate, draped bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory walking right, holding wreath and palm, T in ex.
Maximum Diameter: 22.3 mm
Weight: 2.97 g
Ex Incitatus Coins, Ex Forvm user Ardatirion, Ex Forvm
(and I managed to take the worst photo of the three)TheEmpireNeverEnded
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Caligula (Augustus) Coin: Brass DupondiusNERO ET DRVSVS CAESARES - Statue of Nero and Drusus Caesar riding right cloaks flying
C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT - Legend surrounding S C
Mint: Rome (37-38AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 12.50g / 29mm / 180
Rarity: Scarce
References:
RIC 1-Gaius 34
BMCRE 44 (Caligula
BN 52 (Caligula)
Provenances:
Incitatus Coins
Acquisition/Sale: Incitatus Coins Vcoins $0.00 7/17
Notes: Mar 27, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson CollectionGRWilson
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Caligula (Augustus) Coin: Brass DupondiusCONSENSV SENAT ET EQ ORDIN P Q R (With Agreement of the Senate, the Equestrian Order and the Roman People) - Laureate & togate statue of Caligula seated left on curule chair, holding branch
DIVVS AVGVSTVS S-C - Radiate head of Divus Augustus left.
Exergue:
Mint: Rome (37-41AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 15.10g / 29mm / 180
Rarity: Common
References:
RCV 1811
Sear mil. 1811
Provenances:
Incitatus Coins
Acquisition/Sale: Incitatus Coins Vcoins $0.00 8/17
Notes: Jul 21, 18 - The Gary R. Wilson CollectionGRWilson
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Caligula (Augustus) Coin: Brass DupondiusGERMANICVS CAESAR - Germanicus in quadriga right
SIGNIS RECEPT DEVICTIS GERM (For the Return of the Standards of the Conquered Germany) Senatus Consulto (By Decree of the Senate) - Germanicus standing left with eagle-tipped scepter, S C in fields.
Exergue:
Mint: Rome (37-41AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 13.30g / 30mm / 180
Rarity: Common
References:
RCV 1820
Sear mil. 1820
Provenances:
Incitatus Coins
Acquisition/Sale: Incitatus Coins Vcoins $0.00 8/17
Notes: Jun 13, 18 - The Gary R. Wilson CollectionGRWilson
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Caligula (Augustus) Coin: Bronze AsCAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P IIII P P - Bare head left
VESTA SC - Vesta, veiled and draped, seated left, on throne with ornamented back and legs, holding patera in right hand and long transverse sceptre in left
Exergue:
Mint: Rome (40-41AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 12.50g / 29mm / 180
Rarity: Rare
References:
RIC 1-Gaius 54
Cohen 29
BMCRE 73
Provenances:
Incitatus Coins
Acquisition/Sale: Incitatus Coins Vcoins $0.00 7/17
Notes: Oct 9, 18 - This late series, the final issue from 40-41 AD, is rated R in RIC. The other type from 39-40 AD with the same obverse legend is scarce, whilst the standard type from 37-39 AD is rated common.
The Gary R.Wilson Collection
GRWilson
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Campgate: Costantino I, AE3, zecca di TreviriConstantine I, AE3 follis, Trier mint (324-325 AD).
AE, 3.0gr, 20 mm
D/ CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, laureate head right
R/ PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG, campgate, 6 layers by 6 rows, two turrets, star above, STR in ex
RIC VII Trier 449
Provenienza: collezione Berardengo, Roma Italia (8 marzo 2013, numero catalogo 185); ex Steve McBride collection (Incitatus coins, St. John's, NL Canada, fino al 2013)paolo
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Campgate: Costanzo II, AE3, zecca di TreviriCONSTANTIUS II AE 3. Trier mint (328-329 AD)
AE, gr. 2,95, mm 18,52, BB
D/ FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left.
R/ PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, camp gate with two turrets & star above, PTR (dot in crescent) in ex
RIC 480
Provenienza: collezione Berardengo (Roma, Italia il 12 luglio 2014, numero catalogo 219), ex Steve McBride collection (Incitatus coins, St. John's, NL, Canada fino al 2014, ID 5587) paolo
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Claudius II Gothicus RIC Va 34Claudius II Gothicus BI Antoninianus
3.53g, 20.5mm, 0 degrees, Rome mint, 268-270 CE.
Attribution: RIC Va 34. Cohen 84.
O: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, bust right, radiate and cuirassed.
R: FIDES EXERCI, Fides standing right, holding two ensigns, one transverse.
Ex-Incitatus Coins.Ron C2
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Commodus, Serapis & Cerberus, year 29COMMODUS billon tetradrachm. 26mm, 13.2g. Alexandria, Egypt. Regnal year 29 (188-189 A.D.) MA KOM ANTW CEB EVCEB, laureate bust right. Reverse - Serapis enthroned left, hand extended over Cerberus who stands at his feet. Sear RCV 5924. Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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Denar, RIC 3, p.268, 676 - Faustina II, Fecunditas, 4 childrenFaustina Minor
AR-Denar, Rome
Obv.: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair tied in bun without pearls
Rev.: FECVND AVGVSTAE, Fecunditas standing left between two children, holding two more in arms
Ag, 18.5mm, 3.3g.
Ref.: RIC III 676, RSC 95, RCV 5251, CRE 178 [C]
Ex Incitatus Coins
shanxi
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DIVUS AUGUSTUS AE As, restitution issue struck by Titus; Eagle standing on globe, head leftDIVUS AUGUSTUS AE As, restitution issue struck by Titus. 28mm, 8.7g. DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER, radiate head left. Reverse - IMP T VESP AVG REST, Eagle standing on globe, head left. Sear RCV I 2583. Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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Domitian (Augustus) Coin: Silver DenariusIMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P P TR P XI - Laureate head right
IMP XXI COS XVI CENS P P P - Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear; shield at her side.
Mint: Rome (92AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 2.90g / 19mm / 360
References:
RSC 272
RIC 732
Provenances:
Incitatus Coins
Acquisition/Sale: Incitatus Coins Vcoins $0.00 11/17
Notes: Jun 2, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson CollectionGRWilson
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Domitian as Caesar under Titus RIC II T0518 cistophoric tetradrachm Domitian as Caesar under Titus. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm. Rome Mint for Asia. 80-81 A.D. (10.64 g, 23,3m, 6h). Obv: CAES DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII, laureate head right. Rev: PRINC IVVENTVT, Domitian riding left, right hand raised, holding scepter. RIC II (Titus 518).
Subject to some dispute, cistophorii of the Flavians are thought to be minted in Rome for use in the East based on style. This coin mimics a denarius of Domitian as Caesar under Vespasian (RIC II V539), and likely refers to Domitian’s ride in the Judean triumph celebrated by Vespasian and Titius. Ex Incitatus, HBJ, and ACCG.Lucas H
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Gaius/Caligula (Augustus) Coin: Brass SestertiusC CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR POT IIII P P - Pietas, seated left, holding patera and resting arm on small statue of Spes
DIVO AVG S C - Caligula, veiled and togate, sacrifices with patera over garlanded altar
Exergue:
Mint: Rome (40-41AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 23.40g / 34.5mm / 180
Rarity: Rare
References:
RIC 51
Provenances:
Incitatus Coins
Acquisition/Sale: Incitatus Coins Vcoins $0.00 8/17
The Gary R. Wilson CollectionGRWilson
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GalbaIMP SER GALBA AVG
Laureate head right
DIVA AVGVSTA
Livia standing left holding patera and sceptre
Rome, November 68 AD-January 69AD
RIC 150, BMC 5, RSC 52a
2.94g
Rare with this short obverse legend
Ex-IncitatusJay GT4
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GREEK, PAMPHYLIA, ASPENDOS, SILVER STATERASPENDOS, PAMPHYLIA,
Silver stater
Struck circa 420-370 BC
Two wrestlers grappling; LF between.
Reverse - ESTFEDIIUS, slinger to right; triskeles in field.
SNGvA 4565. SNG Cop 227.
23mm, 10.95g.
Ex Incitatus Coins
Aspendos was a Greek colony and strategic port and naval base in Persian territory, on the river Eurymedon in Pamphylia. Starting c. 460 B.C., Aspendos struck large numbers of coins on the Persian weight standard, widely used in western Asia Minor.
Beginning about 400 B.C. Aspendos issued a new series of staters, which were struck to the end of the fourth century. These depict wrestlers on the obverse and a slinger on the reverse. The types are unusual for their detailed depiction of full-length bodies in active athletic poses. It has been suggested that the slinger was chosen for the similarity of the Greek word for sling, sphendone, to the name of the town. In the right field of the reverse is the city's badge, the triskeles, three human legs connected in a wheel-like formation, which had occupied a more prominent position on the obverse of earlier Aspendian coins.
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Hadrian denariusHADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
bare headed bust of Hadrian right with with light drapery on far shoulder
MONETA AVG
Moneta standing left holding scales and cornucopiae
Rome 137 AD
Sear 3507, RIC 256
3.16g
ex-Incitatus
SOLD! Forum Auction February 2020Jay GT4
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Hadrian RIC-0236 Sestertius Libertas RestitutaRome mint, AD 119 - mid-120, Group 1a.
IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, Laureate nude bust right, trace of drapery on far (left) shoulder.
PONT MAX TR POT COS III, S-C, Hadrian seated left on curule chair set on platform, right hand extended towards draped woman, who stands left on ground, holding one child and leading another. LIBERTAS RESTI / TVTA in two lines in exergue.
21.5 g; 32 mm dia; 5h.
This coin was likely struck in AD 119. The coin legend proclaims the restoration of freedom and liberty. According to RIC, the scene shows Hadrian "bestowing his protection on innocent women and children". This likely refers to the reported conspiracy that Hadrian defeated upon his return to Rome in July 118 and which resulted in the execution of four consulars for sedition. It is possible that they had been behind rumors (and possibly more) to the effect that Trajan had not truly named Hadrian his heir.
RIC II/3 236; Str. 526; BMC 1160.
Purchased from Incitatus Coins.SC
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Hadrian, Tetradrachm, Serapis & Cerberus, year 12HADRIAN AR billon silver tetradrachm. 25mm, 12.9g. Alexandria, regnal year 12 (128-189 A.D.) AVT KAIC TPAIAN AΔ C CB, laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right. Reverse: LΔWΔE KAI, Serapis seated left, holding scepter & reaching out to pet Cerberus at foot left. Apparently an unlisted variant, with an unusually shortened obverse legend. Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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Julia Domna Denarius, RIC IVa 577JULIA DOMNA AR Denarius
3.45g, 18.3mm, 0 degrees, Rome mint, 196-211 CE.
Attribution: RIC IVa 577. Cohen 174.
O: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right
R: SAECVLI FELICITAS, Isis, wearing peaked head-dress, standing right, left foot on prow, with infant Horus at her breast. To left, altar, against which rests a rudder.
131 examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.107.
Ex-Incitatus Coins, February 2024.Ron C2
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Julian the Philosopher, AE1, 361-363 AD, RIC 216Antioch Mint
AE1. (29mm, 9.4g)
361-363 AD
Obverse: D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: SECVRITAS REIPVB, bull standing right, two stars above; palm branch-ANTG-palm branch in exergue.
Reference: LRBC 2640. RIC 216.
Ex: Incitatus Coins
Photo Credits: Incitatus CoinsJustin W
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Laodiceia ad Mare; AE23, Bust of Tyche to left, Obv countermarkAntoninus Pius, AE 23mm. Struck at Laodicea ad Mare, Syria. 23mm, 9.2g. AVTO KA TI AIΛ AΔPI ANTWNEINOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left, seen from behind; countermark on neck. Reverse: IOVΛIEWN TWN KAI ΛAOΔIKEWN MO ΛP, draped bust of Tyche with mural crown to left. Hunter 30. Obverse countermark of a bearded head (Antoninus Pius?). Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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Lycia, drachm; ΔΗΜΕΞ ΥΠΑΤ.Β, owl standing right, one leg on each of two lyres. BMC 10TRAJAN AR silver drachm. Lycia, struck circa 98-99 A.D. 19mm, 3.5g. Obverse: AVT KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓΕΡΜ, laureate head right. Reverse: ΔΗΜΕΞ ΥΠΑΤ.Β, owl standing right, one leg on each of two lyres. BMC 10. Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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Lydia, Thyatheira, Herakes / lion, AE1414mm, 1.45g
obv: bare-headed, bearded bust of Herakles facing right, cloak knotted at neck
rev: ΘYATEIPHNΩN; Lion stalking right
SNG Leypold 1265; BMC 40.
ex Incitatus coinsareich
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Manlius Cordius Rufus denarius; Owl with Corinthian helmet/ Head of MedusaManlius Cordius Rufus AR denarius. 46 B.C. 18mm, 3.7g. Obverse: RVFVS, Corinthian helmet with crest on which an owl stands. Reverse: MN CORDIVS (MN in monogram) Aegis of Minerva with head of Medusa in the center. Manius Cordius Rufus was a monetary triumvir under Julius Caesar; the owl and helmet apparently are meant to point to the personal qualities of Julius Caesar. RCV 441, CRR 978, RRC 463/2. Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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MARCUS AURELIUS & LUCIUS VERUS AE 23mm, ARADOS; Poseidon on rudderMARCUS AURELIUS & LUCIUS VERUS AE 23mm. 24mm, 12.0g. ARADOS, PHOENICIA. Dated CY 421 (162/3 AD). Confronted laureate & draped busts of Aurelius & Verus. Reverse - ΑΠΑΔΙΩΝ in exergue, Poseidon (/Tyche) seated left on rudder; date AKV above E to left. SNG Copenhagen 82, BMC 49, 380. Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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Marius Antoninianus RIC Vb 10Marius BI Antoninianus
2.10g, 18.0mm, 180 degrees, Cologne (Colonia Agrippinensis) mint, 269 CE.
Attribution: RIC Vb 10. Cohen 13.
O: IMP C MARIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right.
R: SAEC FELICITAS, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus & cornucopiae.
Ex-Incitatus CoinsRon C2
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Mark AntonyM ANTONI IMP
Bare head of Marcus Antonius right, bearded
III VIR R P C
Distyle temple containing facing bust of Sol on disk
Epirus? Autumn of 42 BC
3.44g
Sear 1467
Scarce
Ex-Incitatus
David Sear in "The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators" says:
The reappearance of IMP in Antony's titulature suggests that this issue is subsequent to the second battle of Philippi (23 October), though as the Triumvir is still bearded it must have been struck quite soon after the deaths of Brutus and Cassius before orders had been given for the modification of the portrait. With Caesar's murder now avenged both Antony and Octavian could shave the beards which they had worn as a sign of mourning."Jay GT4
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Mark Antony Legionary denarius LEG X IMPVESPANT AVG III VIR R P C
Galley r. mast with banners at prow
IMPVESP counter mark above galley
LEG X?
Legionary eagle between two standards IMPVESP countermark
Patrae mint 32-31BC
3.01g
Ex-Incitatus
Obverse countermarked IMPVESP during Vespasian's reign showing this denarius was in circulation for well over 100 years! In hand I can make out X for the legion number but can't be sure if any other numerals appear after it. This countermark appears mostly on late Republican and Imperatorial denarii, although denarii of Augustus and denarii of the Flavians struck at Ephesus are also recorded. The MP VES countermarks circulated specifically within the province of Asia Minor. Martini noted that the output of silver coinage in relation to the civic bronze for this region was much smaller during the Julio-Claudian period. This suggests the denarii were countermarked to validate locally circulating silver coinage at an acceptable weight while the regional mints opened by Vespasian were gearing up production, a theory which the countermarking of cistophori with the contemporary MP VES AVG countermarks seems to support. The similarly countermarked Flavian denarii struck at Ephesus can be accounted for then as examples accidentally countermarked by unobservant mint workers during the transition.
LEG X (later called Gemina) was levied in 59 BC or earlier by Julius Caesar. It was the first legion levied by him personally and was raised in Spain. It played a major role in the Gallic war featuring prominently in Caesar's "Gallic Wars." Legio X was his most trusted and loyal Legion. In 45 BC the Legion was disbanded and given land grants in Southern Gaul.
During the civil war that followed Caesar's assassination, Legio X was reconstituted by Lepidus in the winter of 44/43 BC making use of many retired legionaries who re-enlisted. It was eventually turned over to Antony and fought for him until the final Battle of Philippi. The veterans obtained lands near Cremona, and an inscription reports that the name of the legion at the time was Veneria, "devoted to Venus." This alluded to Julius Caesar's claimed descent from Venus.
The newly levied Tenth was then taken by Antony to Armenia for his Parthian campaign. During Antony's civil war, the legion fought for him until his defeat at the Battle of Actium, after which the legion changed sides and moved into Octavian's army. They were then taken to Egypt to finish off Antony and Cleopatra. Octavian never fully trusted the 10th Legion as it had been fiercely loyal to both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. After Antony's death Octavian left the legion in the East in Syria. In 29 BC the legion was due to be discharged. When the legionaries pressed for their release and land grants Octavian was slow in complying. Suetonius says that the entire legion rioted and Octavian dishonorably discharged the entire legion.
Octavian now recruited new legionaries to fill the 10th Legion in its traditional recruiting grounds of Spain. Some of the senior Centurions may have re-enlisted for a third term to serve with the 10th. These men would have been in their late 40's or early 50's. The new legionaries marched over land to Syria to take up their posting. The new 10th Legion's home base was on the Euphrates to keep an eye on the Parthians.
The next discharge date would be 14-13 BC. This time the 10th Legion was settled in Beirut and the city was given Colony status. Ten years later the 10th Legion under Publius Quintilius Varus was marched down to Jerusalem to garrison the city after Herod the Great died. The 10th Legion would remain in Jerusalem until 6 AD.Jay GT4
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Mark Antony Legionary Denarius LEG XIXANT AVG III VIR R P C
galley r. mast with banners at prow
LEG XIX
legionary eagle between two standards
Patrae mint 32-31BC
3.37g
Ex-IncitatusJay GT4
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Mark Antony Legionary PRAETORIARVMANT AVG III VIR R P C
galley r. mast with banners at prow
CHORTIVM PRAETORIARVM
Legionary Eagle between two standards
Patrae mint 32-31BC
3.08g
Imperators 385, Sydenham 1213, BMCRR East 184, Cohen 7
Ex-Incitatus
Scarce/rare
An important and historical coin!
The Praetorian cohorts had their origins in the small escorts which accompanied the generals on campaign. The name derives from the commander's tent (praetorium), a name which was later applied to the commandant's house in a permanent fort. At the time of Actium Antony probably had at least four praetorian cohorts. In the years following Actium Augustus established a permanent body of nine praetorian cohorts, three in Rome, the remainder dispersed among neighboring towns. They were regarded as elite troops and this was reflected in their living conditions and pay (more than three times the rate for legionaries). The praetorian prefects, first appointed by Augustus in 2 BC were to exercise enormous political power in Rome in the centuries to follow.
Jay GT4
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Mark Antony, Triumvir and Imperator, 44 - 30 B.C.MARCUS ANTONIUS (Marc Antony) AR silver legionary denarius. Legion XXIII. 18mm, 3.5g. Struck at a military mint, likely Patrae, 32-31 BC. Obverse: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley sailing. Reverse: LEG XXIII, eagle between standards. Ex Incitatus.
Legion XXII, the 22nd, is the second-last legion in the series and one of the scarcer types of the regular numbered legions.
Marcus Antonius (in Latin: M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N[1]) (January 14, 83 BC – August 1, 30 BC), known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general. He was an important supporter and the loyal friend of Gaius Julius Caesar as a military commander and administrator, despite his blood ties, through his mother Iulia, to the branch of Caesars opposed to the Marians and murdered by them. After Caesar's assassination, Antony formed an official political alliance with Octavian (Augustus) and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, known to historians today as the Second Triumvirate.
The triumvirate broke up in 33 BC. Disagreement between Octavian and Antony erupted into civil war, the Final War of the Roman Republic, in 31 BC. Antony was defeated by Octavian at the naval Battle of Actium, and in a brief land battle at Alexandria. He and his lover Cleopatra committed suicide shortly thereafter.
For anyone tempted to laud Marcus Antonius, to Antony's great shame read what Plutarch wrote about what Antony did to Cicero:
Plutarch: Cicero's Death
But in the meantime the assassins were come with a band of soldiers, Herennius, a centurion, and Popillius, a tribune, whom Cicero had formerly defended when prosecuted for the murder of his father. Finding the doors shut, they broke them open, and Cicero not appearing, and those within saying they knew not where he was, it is stated that a youth, who had been educated by Cicero in the liberal arts and sciences, an emancipated slave of his brother Quintus, Philologus by name, informed the tribune that the litter was on its way to the sea through the close and shady walks. The tribune, taking a few with him, ran to the place where he was to come out. And Cicero, perceiving Herennius running in the walks, commanded his servants to set down the litter; and stroking his chin, as he used to do, with his left hand, he looked steadfastly upon his murderers, his person covered with dust, his beard and hair untrimmed, and his face worn with his troubles. So that the greatest part of those that stood by covered their faces whilst Herennius slew him. And thus was he murdered, stretching forth his neck out of the litter, being now in his sixty-fourth year. Herennius cut off his head, and, by Antony's command, his hands also, by which his Philippics were written; for so Cicero styled those orations he wrote against Antony, and so they are called to this day.
When these members of Cicero were brought to Rome, Antony was holding an assembly for the choice of public officers; and when he heard it, and saw them, he cried out, "Now let there be an end of our proscriptions." He commanded his head and hands to be fastened up over the rostra, where the orators spoke; a sight which the Roman people shuddered to behold, and they believed they saw there, not the face of Cicero, but the image of Antony's own soul.
Translation by John Dryden: http://intranet.grundel.nl/thinkquest/moord_cicero_plu.html
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.Cleisthenes
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Maximianus Follis CarthageAE Follis
Maximianus, 286 - 305 CE
Diameter: 28 mm, Weight: 11.60 grams, Die Axis: 6h
Obverse: IMP MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
Laureate bust to right.
Reverse: SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART
Personification of Carthage standing left, with fruits in both hands.
Mint: B, Carthage
References: RIC 31b
Purchased from Incitatus Coins 2018Pharsalos
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Philip I Antoninianus RIC IVc 49bPhillip I AR Antoninianus
4.85g, 23.9mm, 0 degrees, Rome mint, 244-247 CE.
Attribution: RIC IVc 49b. Cohen 227.
O: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, bust, radiate, draped and cuirassed, right.
R: VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm.
Ex-Incitatus CoinsRon C2
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Philip II Antoninianus RIC IVc 216cPhillip II AR Antoninianus
4.30g, 24.0mm, 165 degrees, Rome mint, 244-246 CE.
Attribution: RIC IVc 216c. Cohen 54.
O: M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES, bust, radiate, draped and cuirassed, right.
R: PRINCIPI IVVENT, Philip II in military dress, standing right with globe & transverse spear.
Ex-Incitatus Coins, Aug 2021.Ron C2
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Phocas Solidus Sear 618Phocas AV Solidus
4.50g, 21.0mm, 180 degrees, Constantinople mint, 603-607 CE
Attribution: Sear 618. DOC 5.
O: D N FOCAS PERP AVG, draped and cuirassed bust facing, wearing crown without pendilia, and holding globus cruciger.
R: VICTORIA AVGG H, Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by Ꝑ and globus cruciger; CONOB in exergue.
Ex-Incitatus CoinsRon C2
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Postumus (Aureolus) Antoninianus RIC Vb 373Aureolus in the name of Postumus AR (BI) Antoninianus
3.50g, 19.0mm, 180 degrees, Mediolanum mint, 267-268 CE.
Attribution: RIC Vb 373. Cohen 19.
O: IMP POSTVMVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aureolus right.
R: CONCORD EQVIT, Concordia standing left, foot on prow, holding patera & rudder; S in exergue. Strong die clash, leaving a left facing imprint of the portrait in the reverse field.
Ex-Incitatus CoinsRon C2
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Postumus Antoninianus RIC Vb 67Postumus AR (BI) Antoninianus
3.46g, 21.9mm, 180 degrees, Lugdunum mint, 260-269 CE.
Attribution: RIC Vb 67. Cohen 101.
O: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, bust, radiate, draped and cuirassed, right.
R: HERC PACIFERO, Hercules standing right, holding olive branch, club & lion's skin.
Ex-Incitatus CoinsRon C2
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Postumus Antoninianus RIC Vb 75Postumus BI Antoninianus
2.96g, 21.1mm, 0 degrees, Lugdunum mint, 260-269 CE.
Attribution: RIC Vb 75. Cohen 200.
O: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, bust, radiate, draped and cuirassed, right.
R: MONETA AVG, Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae.
Ex-Incitatus CoinsRon C2
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Quadrans; eagle; RIC 227AUGUSTUS AE quadrans. Struck at LUGDUNUM, 10 B.C. 19mm, 2.1g. IMP CAESAR, laureate head of Augustus right. Reverse - AVGVSTVS above eagle with wings spread. RIC 227, RCV 1707. Some adjustment marks from the striking process. Ex IncitatusPodiceps
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RIC 0010 Titus denariusIMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM
Laureate head of Titus right
TR P VIII IMP XIII COS VII
Statue of radiate male figure with spear and parazonium on rostral column
Rome, After July 1, 79 CE
2.89g
RIC 10 (R)
Ex-Incitatus
A fairly rare type from the beginning of Titus reign which omits the PP ending. The coin copies a type issued by Vespasian, which itself copies an earlier type for Augustus. Mattingly argues the reverse is the colossus built by Nero which stood in the Domus Aurea. Vespasian renamed the statue Sol by adding a radiate crown and moved it outside of the Flavian amphitheater. The story goes, (according to one of the more popular theories) that the Flavian amphitheater got it's name, the Colesseum because of its proximity to the Colossus.
Jay GT4
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RIC 0131 Titus DenariusIMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M
Laureate head right
TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P
Tripod with fillets, above dolphin, two ravens left and right and wreath under dolphin
Rome
January 1- June 30, 80 CE
RIC131 (R)
3.17g
Ex-Incitatus
A rare type with the ravens flanking the dolphin.
Jay GT4
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RIC 0159 Vespasian SestertiusIMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM TR P P P COS III
Laureate head right
IVDAEA CAPTA SC (in exergue)
Palm tree; to left, captive standing right; to right, Judaea seated right on cuirass; both figures surrounded by arms
Rome, 71 CE
24.22g; 36mm
RIC 159 (C3)
Ex-Incitatus
A common but sought after historical type on a large flan. Not quite as rough as appears in photo. In hand the IV of "IVDAEA" is visible. An unmolested sestertius.Jay GT4
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RIC 0199 VespasianÆ Sestertius, 25.22g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: S C in field; Mars adv. r., with trophy and spear
RIC 199 (C2). BMC 777. BNC 539.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, April 2020. Ex Noonans Auction 171, 17 September 2019, lot 153 (part).
Struck during the great bronze issue of 71, this reverse features the standard Mars as a 'heroic nude', similar to the same type struck on the denarius. Mars here can best be interpreted as a triumphal type, likely based on a cult image.
Nice style with planchet flaw on reverse.David Atherton
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RIC 025 TitusAR Denarius, 3.30g
Rome mint, 79 AD
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P; Slow quadriga l., with round basket-like car, garlanded, in which are three corn ears
RIC 25 (C). BMC 18. RSC 278. BNC 15.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, May 2006.
A Titus Caesar carry-over quadriga reverse from Vespasian's last denarius issue, here struck for Titus as Augustus. Probably a stop-gap issue until new reverse designs were produced by the mint. BMCRE states this type is borrowed from the coinage of L. Aquillius and M. Durmius, monyers under Augustus. It depicts the procession of the calathus of Ceres.
Not the best example of this type by a long shot, but a nice well centered denarius that has been through many Roman hands. I quite like it.David Atherton
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RIC 0357 Vespasian denarius by TitusDIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS
laureate head of Vespasian right
SC on circular shield supported by two capricorns back to back, globe below
Rome 80 AD
RIC 357 (C2);Sear 2569
19mm 3.4g
Ex-Incitatus
Issued by Titus in honour of his father Divus VespasianJay GT4
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RIC 0362 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.42g
Rome Mint, 72-73 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESP A-VG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory, draped, advancing r., holding palm over l. shoulder in l. hand and with r. about to place wreath on a standard set in ground on r.
RIC 362 (C2). BMC 74. RSC 618. BNC 60.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, July 2004.
A coin which is considered by some as part of Vespasian's IVDAEA CAPTA series. Here Victory is placing a wreath on a military standard, 'Victory crowning the successful arms of Rome'. The type can be better interpreted as a general 'Victory' type.
One of my favorite coins.David Atherton
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RIC 0427 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]Æ Sestertius, 28.15g
Rome mint, 72 AD
Obv: T CAES VESPASIAN IMP PON TR POT COS II; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: S C in field; Mars adv. r., with spear and trophy
RIC 427 (C). BMC -. BNC 621.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, April 2021.
Mars advancing right is one of the more common types struck for Titus Caesar's second bronze issue at Rome. Like many of his reverses, this Mars type is shared with Vespasian. It also shows up on the contemporaneous denarii. H. Mattingly in BMCRE II states the Mars with spear and trophy "was perhaps traditionally regarded as 'Mars Pater' - the ancestor of the Roman nation." Oddly enough, this type for Titus Caesar is missing from the BM's extensive collection.David Atherton
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RIC 0448 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]Æ As, 9.94g
Rome mint, 72 AD
Obv: T CAES VESPASIAN IMP P TR P COS II; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: PROVIDENT in exergue; S C in field; Altar
RIC 448 (R). BMC 692A. BNC 634.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, November 2020.
Originally, Tiberius struck the Provident altar type for Divus Augustus. The altar depicted is dedicated to Providentia, the personification of the emperor's divine providence. Although the type is commonly described as an altar, Marvin Tameanko has convincingly argued it is actually a sacellum, or small shrine. Vespasian began striking it early in his reign both at Rome and Lyon, confining the type to the as issues. Nathan T. Elkins in his Monuments in Miniature wrote the following concerning the type - 'Asses with an altar enclosure labeled PROVIDENT, combine with obverses of Vespasian or his sons, are the emperor's most common architectural type and were produced from c. 71 to 78. The Ara Providentiae, which had appeared before on coins of Tiberius, Galba, and Vitellius, celebrated the emperor's foresight in the designation of his successors. The combination of the reverse type with obverses of one of the two Caesars further underscored the dynastic message.' This rare PROVIDENT from 72 is the first instance of the type struck for Titus Caesar.
Oddly, the coin has a 12 o'clock die axis, unusual for Rome at this time.David Atherton
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RIC 0496 Titus sestertiusT CAESAR VESPASIAN IMP IIII PON TR POT II COS II
Laureate head right
PAX AVGVSTI SC
Pax standing left with branch and cornucopiae
Rome
1 July 72-June 30, 73 CE
21.57g
RIC 496 (R3) Submitted to Ian Carradice and will be included in the upcoming Addenda
Ex-Incitatus; KC collection; Ex-Emporium Hamburg Alpha Auction 9, lot 291
An extremely rare coin not illustrated in the RIC plates, only citing one example in the Museo Nazionale Roma. None on acsearch or in Forum's galleries. Dare I say second known example? The entire series from 72 is very rare, this perhaps being the rarest.
Jay GT4
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RIC 0680 (V) Domitian denarius SOLDCAES AVG F DOMIT COS II
Laureate head of Domitian right
No legend
Domitian on horseback prancing left, right hand raised, holding human-headed (helmet) sceptre in left
Rome 73 AD
3.25g
RIC 680 Vespasian (C); Sear 2627
Double die match to CNG E-Auction 481 lot 557
Ex-Forum
The reverse depicts Domitian participating in the Judaea Capta triumph of 71 A.D. He is, as Josephus described him, riding alongside in magnificent apparel and mounted on a horse that was itself a site worth seeing.
SOLD to Incitatus Jan 2021Jay GT4
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RIC 0727 Vespasian VariantÆ As, 9.73g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG COS V CENS; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: PAX AVGVST; S C in field; Pax stg. l., leaning on column, with caduceus and branch
RIC 727 var. (obv. head r.). BMC -. BNC 719 var. (same).
Acquired from eBay, November 2019. Ex Incitatus Coins.
An unpublished As struck for Vespasian in 74. The obverse legend IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS V CENS is a rare variant of the much more common obv legend which reads CAESAR for this issue. It is unrecorded with a left facing portrait paired with the PAX AVGVST reverse. Unlisted in the RIC II.1 Addenda.
David Atherton
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RIC 082 DomitianÆ Dupondius, 12.48g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; S C in field; Minerva stg. l., with thunderbolt and spear; shield at her l. side
RIC 82 (C). BMC -. BNC -.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, August 2021.
This middle bronze struck for Domitian's first issue in 81 is laureate, but appears to be made of brass. RIC notes: 'Examples clearly in brass, as opposed to copper, can be identified as dupondii, though the laureate head might lead one to identify them as asses.' Perhaps a carry-over formula from Domitian's middle bronzes as Caesar under Vespasian and Titus when his dupondii were laureate. Missing from both the BM and Paris collections, indicating it may be rarer than the 'common' RIC frequency rating implies. This Minerva type would later become standard on the denarii.David Atherton
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RIC 0872 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]AR Denarius, 3.10g
Rome Mint, 76 AD
Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: COS V across field; Eagle head l. standing on thunderbolt, on Altar. Very uncommon with thunderbolt showing.
RIC 872 (C). BMC 192. RSC 60. BNC 168.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins April 2008.
A mysterious reverse type struck for Titus Caesar and Vespasian in 76. H. Mattingly in BMCRE II hints that it might be a reference to the death of Mucianus which occurred that year. Mucianus was the governor of Syria who helped Vespasian rise to the purple. The interpretation here would be the eagle as a symbol of the after-life. I've always had my doubts about Mattingly's reading. The eagle when depicted on a funeral pyre or altar is an apotheosis type, here there is no such pyre or altar. The eagle sits upon a garlanded base, clutching a thunderbolt (missing on this specimen), with no legend referring to the eagle specifically. The following are the three main symbolic meanings of the eagle in the Roman world: as an attribute of Jupiter, a symbol of the Roman legions, a funerary type. In the case of the above coin, my guess would be the eagle is in the guise of Jupiter since a thunderbolt is clutched.
Variant version missing the thunderbolt.David Atherton
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RIC 0950 (V) TitusT CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS
Laureate head of Titus right.
COS VI
Prow of galley right, sides ornameted with intricate cross-hatch and maeander patterns; above, star with sixteen rays.
Rome, 77-78 CE
3.25g
RIC 950 Vespasian (R);
Reverse copied from a Mark Antony denarius
Ex: Incitatus Coins; Ex-Andrew Short CollectionJay GT4
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RIC 0950 [VESPASIAN]Titus. AR Denarius as Caesar, AD 69-79. Rome, under Vespasian, Struck AD 77/8.
(19.04 mm, 3.25 g),
Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Titus right.
Rev: COS VI, prow of galley right, sides ornameted with intricate cross-hatch and maeander patterns; above, star with sixteen rays. RIC 950 (R); BN 202; BMC 226; RSC 68.
Ex: Incitatus Coins
Titus was very much involved in the suppression of the Jewish revolt in Judea. His other claim to fame was that he completed the construction of the Flavian Amphitheater after the death of his father Vespasian.
Titus had something else in common with his father. Like his father, Titus used coin types that were throwbacks to earlier times. One such example is the coin below. On the reverse you will see a ship's prow and a star overhead. This image hearkens back to the Imperatorial period on coins of Marcus Antonius and Ahenobarbus. However, it goes back even further to the republic when it was used on many bronze coins. On the issue of these coins copying earlier designs, a friend who is also an expert in Flavian coinage has this to say:
"I believe that many of these antiquarian reverse types of Vespasian and Titus were struck because the mint was recycling the finer republican and early imperial denarii. The older denarii were struck at nearly 100% silver fineness, the Flavian denarii at 80% fineness. Thus the mint was able to turn over a tidy profit."
This was not an easy coin to find. I had been looking for unusual reverse of Titus and this one popped up at an opportune time. This coin was minted when Titus was Caesar, or next in line to be emperor.orfew
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RIC 108 DomitianÆ Dupondius, 13.37g
Rome mint, 82 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, radiate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P COS VIII DES VIIII P P; S C in field; Minerva stg. l., with thunderbolt and spear; shield at her l. side
RIC 108 (C2). BMC 278. BNC 288.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, March 2020.
Minerva was a popular type on Domitian's early bronze. This variant struck in 82 showing Minerva with thunderbolt and shield would later become one of the standard types for the denarius the following year. It is likely based on a cult image of the goddess.
A handsome coin in fine style.David Atherton
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RIC 1268 (V) Titus Æ As SOLD!T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR
Laureate head right
IVDAEA CAPTA SC
Palm tree; Judaea seated right; to left of tree, arms
Lugdunum (Lyon), 77-8 CE
8.81g
RIC 1268 Vespasian (C2)
Ex-Incitatus
A common but important type. Minted 8 years after the conquest of Judea by Titus. A reminder of Titus' military prowess and his place as his father's successor.
Sold to Calgary Coin April 2022
Jay GT4
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RIC 1288 Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian] Æ As, 8.03g
Lyon mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: S C in field; Domitian on horse l.; r. hand raised, sceptre in l.
RIC 1288 (C). BMC 875. BNC 886.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, November 2020.
This Lugdunese As struck for Domitian Caesar in 77-78 copies a common type originally struck on the precious metals for the young prince at Rome in 73. It commemorates Domitian's appearance at Vespasian and Titus' joint Jewish War Triumph - 'while taking part in the Judaean triumph, he rode on a white horse' (Suetonius, Domitian, ii). Curiously, Mattingly in BMCRE describes the reverse as Domitian 'holding vertical sceptre with human head'! It's a mystery why a type struck at Rome several years previously was resurrected by the Lugdunum mint for this issue of Domitian asses.
Good Lugdunese style struck on a large flan.David Atherton
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RIC 1340 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.15g
Uncertain Spanish mint, 69-70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: VICTORIA IMP VESPASIANI; Victory stg. l. on globe, with wreath and palm
RIC 1340 (R). BMC 362. RSC 630. BNC 30.
Ex Private Collection; acquired from Incitatus Coins, December 2012.
This early undated denarius of Vespasian is fairly rare and is minted in an eye appealing style. The mint is uncertain, but the reverse type of Victory and Globe was struck under Vitellius at Tarraco and the prominence of left facing busts of Galba and Vitellius from that mint suggests a Spanish location despite the different styles between the two series. Future die links will most likely clear the matter up. My hunch is that it is indeed Tarraco (as assigned in the BMCRE) and the style differences can be explained by different engravers working at the mint and/or the elapsed time between the issues. The Paris specimen (BNC 30) is attributed to Rome.
The coin is quite a beauty. The style is almost baroquely garish in its representation of Vespasian, luscious locks and all.
David Atherton
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RIC 1409 VespasianAR Denarius, 2.59g
Ephesus mint, 70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: CONCORDIA AVG; Ceres std. l., on ornate high-backed chair, with corn ears and poppy and cornucopiae; in exergue, horizontal Φ
RIC 1409 (R2). BMC 442. RSC 66. RPC 818 (2 spec.). BNC -.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, March 2018.
The Ceres reverse type was consistently struck at Ephesus from 69 through 74. This scarce Group 3 example features an imperfectly struck Φ mintmark. The elaborate high back throne Ceres is seated upon distinguishes it from the Rome mint version of the type.
Struck in typical fine Ephesian style.David Atherton
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RIC 1430 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.10g
Ephesus mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS; Titus and Domitian veiled, togate, stg. front (heads l.), each with a patera; in exergue, EPHE
RIC 1430 (C). BMC 456. RSC 250. RPC 832 (10 spec.). BNC 349.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, January 2012.
I bought this for the portrait (and I needed this type with the EPHE mint mark), and what a portrait it is! Vespasian is shown here with his lips slightly parted as if he is about to speak, the eyes look alive, and the portrait with its bull neck and high forehead exudes an air of confidence. The reverse on the other hand looks a bit rough - it's off center and so worn poor Titus and Domitian are faceless, Titus looking more worse for wear. Still, enough is left of the engravers hand to see the stylish drapery of the robes and the regal stance of the two princes.
A truly great mint's artistic brilliance will shine through even on worn examples, this coin I believe illustrates the point perfectly.
David Atherton
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RIC 1477 VespasianAR Denarius, 2.58g
Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., 'o' mint mark below neck
Rev: PON MAX TR P COS VII; Winged caduceus
RIC 1477 (R). BMC 483. RSC 375a. RPC 1453 (7 spec.). BNC 371.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, October 2014.
These 'o' mint denarii (the 'o' is often not visible) struck for Vespasian, Titus Caesar, and Domitian Caesar are thought to have been minted at Ephesus due to a similar 'o' mint mark previously used at that mint. The types are the same as those struck somewhat contemporaneously at Rome. Mules are a hallmark of the series, perhaps indicating a lack of care in their production. The cadeceus type here is not a mule and copies a Rome reverse of Vespasian from 74.
Curtis Clay wrote these insightful comments concerning the series - "You write, 'thought to have been minted at Ephesus due to a similar 'o' mint mark previously used at that mint'. I regard that as a clear mistake by Buttrey and Carradice. Yes, annulets appear on some late Ephesus denarii too, but everything else is against attributing this later annulet series to Ephesus. Ephesus had its own reverse types, faithfully repeated from issue to issue. But the new series copies its rev. types from Rome, as you note. Ephesus had its own obv. legends too, usually dated with consulships. Quite different in the new series, again copied from Rome. The style is totally different. Errors, such as calling Titus PON MAX and many mules mixing obverses of one emperor with reverses of another, occur only in the later series, never at Ephesus. Against these blatant differences, the shared annulets are I think a mere trifle. A clear case of different mints in my eyes! So 'Ephesus (?)' should be dropped, and we should return to 'uncertain Asia Minor mint'."
Porous and fairly worn, however the major devices are intact and the portrait is quite fine.
David Atherton
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RIC 204 TitusÆ Dupondius, 11.48g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII; Head of Titus, radiate, bearded, l.
Rev: SALVS AVG; S C in exergue; Salus std. l., with patera
RIC 204 (C). BMC 197. BNC 198.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, November 2019. Ex Wendt Auction XIII, 9 November 1976, lot 973.
Titus' bronze issue dated COS VIII is quite large due to the fact he did not renew the consulship in 81 and the coins most likely spanned both years. With that in mind, the meaning behind this Salus type is quite intriguing. Titus died on 13 September 81 and there is some circumstantial evidence hinting that the illness was prolonged, perhaps evident as early as June of that year. Dio and Suetonius report that he wept openly in front of the crowds at the games, perhaps due to deteriorating health. Did the mint master have time enough before Titus' death to strike a coin reverse featuring the goddess of health and well-being in the hopes of divine aid? Conversely, H. Mattingly speculates the Salus reverse commemorates an altar to the goddess dedicated by Titus. Perhaps that may be so. It is not a rare coin, indicating it was struck for a longer rather than shorter period of time.
Dark chocolate patina and good style.David Atherton
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