Spargrodan Posted January 5 · Member Posted January 5 I'm still waiting to receive this one, my very last purchase before the end of last year. Sorry, @David Atherton looks like I'm back to collecting Flavians! However, this might be the start of a "12 Caesars" series in silver. I couldn’t pass this one up, as it’s a left-facing Titus, rare in itself, and also in this great condition. Those About to Die, the Amazon series, features a slightly more handsome actor for Titus than this more Vespasian-like portrait on the coin. Say what you want about the adaptation, but I think it’s fun to see interest in this area, regardless of its authenticity to history. Besides, Titus was said to be handsome, as I understand. I've read different ideas about what the dolphin around the anchor on the reverse symbolizes. Some suggest it represents the opening of the Colosseum, while others propose Festina lente. Personally, I lean more toward the latter, as a way for Titus and the Flavians to establish themselves as rightful emperors and strong rulers, much like Augustus, who used the same iconography. In this way, the Flavians connect themselves to Augustus and reinforce their claim to rule. RIC 113 Titus, AR Denarius, 3.10g, 18.20 mm, Rome mint, 80 AD Obverse: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head facing left. Reverse: COS VIII P P TR P IX IMP XV, dolphin around an anchor. RIC 113 (R); Coh. 310 19 1 1 1 3 Quote
CPK Posted January 5 · Supporter Posted January 5 Fantastic example! I used to have a specimen of the more common right-facing type, but sold it awhile back. 3 Quote
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted January 5 · Member Posted January 5 Thats a great example; great toning, portrait, and condition! Sweet! 3 Quote
David Atherton Posted January 5 · Member Posted January 5 5 hours ago, Spargrodan said: I'm still waiting to receive this one, my very last purchase before the end of last year. Sorry, @David Atherton looks like I'm back to collecting Flavians! However, this might be the start of a "12 Caesars" series in silver. I couldn’t pass this one up, as it’s a left-facing Titus, rare in itself, and also in this great condition. Those About to Die, the Amazon series, features a slightly more handsome actor for Titus than this more Vespasian-like portrait on the coin. Say what you want about the adaptation, but I think it’s fun to see interest in this area, regardless of its authenticity to history. Besides, Titus was said to be handsome, as I understand. I've read different ideas about what the dolphin around the anchor on the reverse symbolizes. Some suggest it represents the opening of the Colosseum, while others propose Festina lente. Personally, I lean more toward the latter, as a way for Titus and the Flavians to establish themselves as rightful emperors and strong rulers, much like Augustus, who used the same iconography. In this way, the Flavians connect themselves to Augustus and reinforce their claim to rule. RIC 113 Titus, AR Denarius, 3.10g, 18.20 mm, Rome mint, 80 AD Obverse: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head facing left. Reverse: COS VIII P P TR P IX IMP XV, dolphin around an anchor. RIC 113 (R); Coh. 310 No need to be sorry! Glad to have the company. BTW, beautiful example! 2 Quote
Spargrodan Posted January 6 · Member Author Posted January 6 Thanks @CPK and @Nerosmyfavorite68 @David Atherton thanks and glad to hear, I use to look at your online collection when I’m looking to buy a Flavian coin, did the same before pressing buy on this one. 🙂 3 Quote
ominus1 Posted January 6 · Patron Posted January 6 ..it has turned out that mine is a fouree(top) ....but its still ONE...(plus i hve the lower 2 :P) 😛 6 Quote
mcwyler Posted January 6 · Member Posted January 6 Gorgeous coin! Mine is the more common right facing one, and looks a lot more common too... 7 Quote
JAZ Numismatics Posted January 6 · Member Posted January 6 18 minutes ago, mcwyler said: Gorgeous coin! Mine is the more common right facing one, and looks a lot more common too... That's a very nice coin though - just some circulation wear. 2 1 Quote
panzerman Posted January 6 · Member Posted January 6 That is a supberb coin/ thanks for posting it! John 1 Quote
ominus1 Posted January 7 · Patron Posted January 7 7 hours ago, JAZ Numismatics said: some circulation wear. ..honest light/medium wear on an ancient gives it character i think! 🙂 1 Quote
David Atherton Posted January 7 · Member Posted January 7 This one is probably my favourite lefty Titus denarius. Titus AR Denarius, 3.18g Rome mint, 80 AD Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l. Rev: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P; Elephant, stg. l. RIC 116 (C). BMC 47. RSC 304. BNC 41. Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Not necessarily rare, but less common than the right facing variety. 6 Quote
Coinmaster Posted January 7 · Member Posted January 7 Great coin(s)! Is known about the why of the left facing portrait? It's a break in tradition, right? 1 Quote
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