David Atherton Posted November 8, 2022 · Member Share Posted November 8, 2022 (edited) Sometimes a 'grail coin' can be one you previously didn't know existed, that is part of the fun and fascinating nature of ancient coinage. Recently, I was lucky enough to come across just such a coin - an unknown denarius variety for Titus. It is not often when one can expand upon the known corpus of Roman imperial coinage, but when one does it is a thrilling feeling indeed! Fortunately for me the piece was misattributed, so I didn't have much competition at auction. One other bidder did know what it was, I would love to know who they are. Titus AR Denarius, 2.75g Rome mint, 79-80 AD Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l. Rev: CERES AVGVST; Ceres stg. l., with corn ears and poppy and sceptre RIC 90A (R3). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -. Ex NN London Auction 9, 29 October 2022, lot 329. The reverse type of Ceres standing is a carry-over from Titus as Caesar under Vespasian. Many of Titus's first reverse types as Augustus were a continuation of those produced for him as Caesar during the last years of Vespasian's reign, probably because the mint needed time to adjusted for a new series. The Ceres reverse is not rare under Vespasian, but is extremely so under Titus as Augustus, being struck for just a few days. This undated left facing portrait variety of the type with a later obverse legend is unique and previously unpublished. This is either a mule pairing an old reverse die from Titus's first denarius issue with a left facing portrait die from a later issue, or it is an exceedingly rare carry-over type intentionally struck, perhaps for only a few days (hours?). It fits in neatly with a similar unique undated aureus of the type (RIC 90). I contacted RIC II.1 co-author professor Ian Carrdadice about this new discovery and he has confirmed the coin as a new variety for Titus and has assigned it as RIC 90A in the upcoming Addenda & Corrigenda. Again, I can't begin to express how happy I am over this new addition to the corpus of Flavian coinage. It makes all those lonely hours spent collecting as a specialist worth while. Special thanks to Curtis Clay and Ian Carradice for their insights. And as always, thanks for looking! Edited November 8, 2022 by David Atherton 25 1 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted November 8, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted November 8, 2022 Congratulations - that is an amazing find, and well-deserved! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay GT4 Posted November 8, 2022 · Member Share Posted November 8, 2022 A hard fought battle! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted November 8, 2022 · Member Share Posted November 8, 2022 It is always nice when a specialist can find another previously unknown variety to add to the corpus. I have found a few over the years primarily in eastern denarii of Septimius Severus but some others too. Here is one such Severan Septimius Severus denarius Obv:– L SEPT SEVER PERT AVG IMP VIII, Laureate head right Rev:– VIRTVT-I AVG, Mars walking right holding spear and trophy Minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare. A.D. 196-197 Reference(s) – BMCRE -. RIC IV - (cf. RIC 847, an Aureus of the type). RSC -. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted November 8, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted November 8, 2022 3 hours ago, Jay GT4 said: A hard fought battle! With one worthy opponent, whom I would love to meet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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