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 Replies: 7 / Views: 715 |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Egads...that title smacks of a bad travel advertisement from the 1970's. I just couldn't resist! Titus deserves better. The man is considered to be one of the "good emperors", and his relief efforts following the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 is particularly noteworthy. His connection to this event has always fascinated me and made him a favorite. His short reign, however, made it difficult for me to find a sharp portrait on a larger coin, at a decent price. I was finally able to spot a dupondius that intrigued me and satisfy my artist's eye. The details aren't sharp, but the portrait is solidly realistic. The rather craggy surface only served to further inspire my admiration.  |
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Moderator
 United States
34395 Posts |
That is a nice portrait @circus. Can you please share the rev of this coin with us too? Thx.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Valued Member
 United States
319 Posts |
Here you go, Spence. I cannot help but see a molten character to this coin. Ties in so perfectly with Titus' ascension to power and the tragic events of 79. My mind boggles!  |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Early on in his reign, Emperor Titus was faced with several serious challenges. The eruption of Vesuvius buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum (long a fascination of mine), a highly destructive fire burned large parts of Rome, the resumption of war in Britannia, and (oddly) a rebellion in Asia by someone claiming to be Nero. Just one of several "pseudo-Nero" who appear throughout the 70's AD. I am trying to acquire the three Flavian Emperors. With Vespasian and Titus in hand...my next focus is Domitian. Anyone out there have related coins?
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Another nice middle bronze Mike!.. I assume you agree that the larger bronze denominations in general, but not always, show a much more realistic interpretation of the ruler... I do have a nicely toned Denarius of his younger brother struck at the end of the same year as Titus' death..The photo doesn't really catch the plethora of colours, grey, golden, yellow and blue being a real stand out coin in the cabinet. These early type portraits are my favourite and coupled with an interesting reverse, the tripod and dolphin, being symbols of Apollo appealed to me more than the more mainstream Minerva depictions. Domitian. 81-96 AR Denarius (3.17 gm, 18mm). Rome mint. Struck 81 AD. Obv.: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M, laureate head right. Rev.: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P, tripod surmounted by a dolphin right. RICII# 74.  |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Nice toning indeed, Paul. There is enough indication there in the photo to spark admiration. Domitian, no less! He is the final piece remaining in my Flavian quest. My next post will be the patriarch Vespasian.
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
2124 Posts |
A Titus I lack, but I can share a Vespasian and a Domitian. One dupondius and one as. Both minted in the 70s, the one with Domitian as caesar, a few years before he became emperor. I like the powerful appearance of these sturdy copper pieces. Dupondius, 72 AD, Vespasian, Lugdunum (Lyon). 28.5 mm, 13.6 g. RIC 1187. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS IIII Rev: (Fortuna) FORTVNAE REDVCI / S C  As, 77-78 AD, Domitian, Lugdunum (Lyon). 28.5 mm, 11.1 g. RIC 1290. Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS V Rev: (Spes/Hope) S C  |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Two splendid coins, erafjel! Quite a bit of detail remain on both specimens. The Vespasian portrait is semi-realistic. The Domitian has lost some of the strength of the facial features, but I can tell from the eye and brow that it once offered a high degree of realism. Very nice!
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Replies: 7 / Views: 715 |
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Posted 02/12/2022 11:11 am
