Titus Sestertius: Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

[David Atherton]

When I think of Italy, ancient history and food are uppermost in my mind. This coin combines both! 

 

 

Titus
Æ Sestertius, 21.88g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: ANNONA AVG; Annona stg. l., with statuette of Aequitas and cornucopiae; to l., modius with corn ears; to r., stern of ship
RIC 136 (C). BMC 152. BNC 151.
Acquired from eBay, August 2024.

Ensuring that the urban plebs were well fed was an important responsibility of the emperor. The reliability of the imperial grain supply from Africa was crucial. This sestertius struck in 80-81 by Titus advertises his commitment, through the auspices of Annona, to generously provide enough bread for the dole. Annona holding a figure of Aequitas, while standing next to a modius full of corn, and with a docked grain ship in the background was explicitly powerful propaganda. The government provided a dole of free grain to around 200,000 citizens in the city. Every pleb had little doubt who to thank for their daily bread and coins like this are one of the reasons why. This fairly common sestertius was struck during Titus’ great issue of bronze in 80-81. Oddly, the reverse lacks the Senatus Consulto decree seen on imperial bronze coins. Perhaps Titus wanted full credit? First Flavian appearance of this reverse design. Slightly rarer than the left facing portrait variety.

In hand.

 

Feel free to post any coins dealing with food.

As always, thank you for looking!

Edited October 16, 2024 by David Atherton

[CPK]

Great coin with an interesting reverse scene!

Here is a different Annona-themed coin:

HADRIAN, AD 117-138
AE As (27.50mm, 14.04g, 5h)
Struck AD 135. Rome mint
Obverse: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head of Hadrian right, drapery on far shoulder
Reverse: ANNO-NA AVG, modius with ears of grain and poppy; S C across fields
References: RIC II 2378, RCV 3674
Light earthen patina with smoothly worn surfaces.

 

[David Atherton]

1 hour ago, CPK said:

Great coin with an interesting reverse scene!

Here is a different Annona-themed coin:

HADRIAN, AD 117-138
AE As (27.50mm, 14.04g, 5h)
Struck AD 135. Rome mint
Obverse: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head of Hadrian right, drapery on far shoulder
Reverse: ANNO-NA AVG, modius with ears of grain and poppy; S C across fields
References: RIC II 2378, RCV 3674
Light earthen patina with smoothly worn surfaces.

 

That's the kind of coin I like - honest wear and plenty of detail remaining. No tooling either.

[JAZ Numismatics]

Super coin to be sure, but I had to chuckle at the Dixieland/Boogie Woogie fusion music on the Youtube. Just why? Lol.

Edited October 16, 2024 by JAZ Numismatics

[David Atherton]

45 minutes ago, JAZ Numismatics said:

Super coin to be sure, but I had to chuckle at the Dixieland/Boogie Woogie fusion music on the Youtube. Just why? Lol.

It's a snippet from the song "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel. A weak pun to be sure.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Bread and circuses. Certainly can thank the Flavians for that!!! Nice coin David.