Denarius of Titus, reign of Vespasian - 1973.23

Acquisition number: 1973.23

Other images

Rev.: Winged caduceus (the staff of Mercury)

Obv.: Head of Titus r., laureate. T(itus) CAESAR IMP(erator) V[ESP](asianus).

Rev.: Winged caduceus (herald's staff). PONTIF(ex) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) CO(n)S(ul) III.

Title: Denarius of Titus, reign of Vespasian - 1973.23

Acquisition number: 1973.23

Author or editor: Beryl Rawson

Culture or period: Roman Imperial

Date: AD 74

Material: Metal - Silver

Object type: Coins - Roman

Dimensions: 18mm (w)

Origin region or location: Italy

Origin city: Rome

Display case or on loan: 7

Keywords: Coin, denarius, Roman, Imperial, Titus

Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) II 694; Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 2445; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 159; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) V152; Giard, J.-P., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain 3 vols (Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale, 1988-1998) 125.

1973.23

Denarius of Titus, reign of Vespasian

2.970 g. AD 74

Obv.: Head of Titus r., laureate. T(itus) CAESAR IMP(erator) V[ESP](asianus).

Rev.: Winged caduceus (herald's staff). PONTIF(ex) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) CO(n)S(ul) III.

From early in his reign, Vespasian promoted his sons Titus and Domitian as his successors. Cf. 1971.09. Titus’ own coins, issued during his father’s reign, made him almost equivalent to the emperor himself; but he did not bear the title ‘Augustus’. He was Caesar, as the emperor’s son; imperator, for his military victories (especially in the Jewish War); and pontifex as a member of a priestly college (but not pontifex maximus, an office held only by the emperor). He had received tribunician power in AD 71, and previous consulships in AD 70 and 72.

The caduceus (herald's staff), attribute of Mercury, symbolized prosperity in trade and commerce. It is found also on Vespasian’s own coins.

Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) II 694; Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 2445; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 159; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) V152; Giard, J.-P., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain 3 vols (Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale, 1988-1998) 125.