Emperors of Rome. Titus 79-81 AD. Circa 73 AD. AV-Aureus 7.28 g. Rome Mint.
Obverse: T CAES IMP VESP CEN, laureate bust right
Reverse: VES – TA Round temple of Vesta with four columns; statue of Vesta standing left within the temple. In left and right field, two statues.
References: RIC 557; C. 347; BMCRE -; Calicó 794 (this coin).
Provenance: Ex Monaco Collection, Heritage 3094, August 19, 2021, 32032; Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, October 29, 2020; Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction IV, September 30, 2012, 535; Sotheby's London, August 7, 1996, 101; Bank Leu AG, Auction 36, May 7, 1985, 247; ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 386 Münzen & Medaillen AG Basel 13, June 17 1954, lot 666. From the Boscoreale Hoard of 1895.
Description: Titus first rose to prominence as a general under his father in the Eastern half of the Empire. When Vespasian left the East to claim the throne, Titus successfully completed his campaign against the Judaean rebels, conquering Jerusalem and plundering the city. Titus was awarded a triumph for this conquest, which is commemorated on the still extant Arch of Titus in Rome.
After Vespasian ascended, Titus served as prefect of the Praetorian Guard in Rome. Following his father’s death, Titus ascended to the throne, and is generally acknowledged to have been a capable emperor by both his contemporaries and more modern historians.
As emperor, Titus completed the Flavian amphitheater in Rome, and steered the Empire through two great tragedies; the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD (which buried this coin and caused its distinctive toning) and a fire in Rome in 80 AD.
After two years in office, Titus died of a fever on 13 September 81. He was deified by the Roman Senate and succeeded by his younger brother Domitian.
This coin bears the image of the Temple of Vesta, which, according to legend, was constructed by the deeply devout King of Rome Numa Pompilius. The Temple of Vesta was centrally located in the early City, and throughout most of its existence housed the wills of prominent Romans, as well as important relics, such as the Palladium. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and the temple depicted on this coin (and that of Domitian) shows the Temple of Vesta as rebuilt by Nero in 64 AD.
The Temple of Vesta featured prominently on Flavian coinage, and can be found on the following aureus of Domitian, as well as on aurei of Vespasian.
Reverse: VES – TA Round temple of Vesta with four columns; statue of Vesta standing left within the temple. In left and right field, two statues.
References: RIC 557; C. 347; BMCRE -; Calicó 794 (this coin).
Provenance: Ex Monaco Collection, Heritage 3094, August 19, 2021, 32032; Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, October 29, 2020; Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction IV, September 30, 2012, 535; Sotheby's London, August 7, 1996, 101; Bank Leu AG, Auction 36, May 7, 1985, 247; ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 386 Münzen & Medaillen AG Basel 13, June 17 1954, lot 666. From the Boscoreale Hoard of 1895.
Description: Titus first rose to prominence as a general under his father in the Eastern half of the Empire. When Vespasian left the East to claim the throne, Titus successfully completed his campaign against the Judaean rebels, conquering Jerusalem and plundering the city. Titus was awarded a triumph for this conquest, which is commemorated on the still extant Arch of Titus in Rome.
After Vespasian ascended, Titus served as prefect of the Praetorian Guard in Rome. Following his father’s death, Titus ascended to the throne, and is generally acknowledged to have been a capable emperor by both his contemporaries and more modern historians.
As emperor, Titus completed the Flavian amphitheater in Rome, and steered the Empire through two great tragedies; the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD (which buried this coin and caused its distinctive toning) and a fire in Rome in 80 AD.
After two years in office, Titus died of a fever on 13 September 81. He was deified by the Roman Senate and succeeded by his younger brother Domitian.
This coin bears the image of the Temple of Vesta, which, according to legend, was constructed by the deeply devout King of Rome Numa Pompilius. The Temple of Vesta was centrally located in the early City, and throughout most of its existence housed the wills of prominent Romans, as well as important relics, such as the Palladium. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and the temple depicted on this coin (and that of Domitian) shows the Temple of Vesta as rebuilt by Nero in 64 AD.
The Temple of Vesta featured prominently on Flavian coinage, and can be found on the following aureus of Domitian, as well as on aurei of Vespasian.