Featured Restoration coinage of Titus, Domitian & Nerva

This is an updated version of a previous post of mine from some time ago. I do not pretend to be very knowledgeable regarding this restoration coinage - in fact, I actually know relatively little about it. However, I put together the following information after encountering numerous coins so identified for sale at coin shows and online (and actually adding a few to my collection) and realizing that in most cases neither I, or the seller, really knew much about their meaning or purpose.

With that said, here are some background notes I have compiled:

Although both Restoration and Restitution are employed by modern day authors to describe this coinage, I employ Restoration here because that is the nomenclature used by Harold Mattingly in his seminal reference: THE "RESTORED" COINS OF OF TITUS, DOMITIAN AND NERVA - The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Royal Numismatic Society Fourth Series, Vol. 20 (1920), pp. 177-207 (31 pages) and on which much of the information presented here is based.

Upon assuming the purple, Vespasian adopted a policy of honoring illustrious members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty by issuing several commemorative coin types in their memory. Commemoration of the illustrious dead on coins originated during the later Republic and became an integral part of the legacy of deified Emperors.

Titus perpetuated his father's policy of honoring the illustrious dead by issuing commemorative coinage in a like manner. However, he now also began issuing coins that were struck using newly made dies designed to produce coins that closely resembled original coin types of the honorees but in more contemporary style.

In British Museum Coins of the Roman Empire (BMCRE) Vol II @ TITUS: TYPES OF ROME, Mattingly states: "The 'restored' series of Titus served a double purpose; it preserved the memory of famous coins of the early Empire which were becoming obsolete and it emphasized in the public mind the continuity between the Flavian dynasty and its predecessor."

It is important to understand how the original coins were restored. For example the first restored AVGUSTUS As depicted here was based on an original As struck at the Rome mint by Tiberius to honor the deified Augustus and depicts a left facing radiate bust of Augustus on the Obverse with the legend DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER. A spread winged Eagle standing on a Globe is depicted on the reverse with large S C left and right. This coin is cataloged in BMCRE (British Museum Coins Roman Empire), H. Mattingly, Vol. I, as Tiberius No. 155 and in RIC (Roman Imperial Coins, Spink), C.H.V. Sutherland, Vol. 1, as Tiberius No. 82. As restored by Titus, the obverse of this coin retains the original coin depiction of Augustus and the legend intact. The reverse retains the original spread winged eagle depiction but the following inscription is added: IMP T CAES AVG RESTITVIT - S C (above, left and right) which roughly equates to "The Emperor Titus is the restorer of this coin".

There are variations of these reverse titulature inscriptions throughout the Restoration coin issues. As a general rule, Titus Restoration coins retain the original coin obverse depiction and inscription, although in an updated style, and also the reverse depiction, but change (or add) the restoration reverse inscriptions described here.

The above restoration became the general model used by Titus for his coin restorations, again with some variances.

Only Aes coins - As, Dupondius and Sestertius - were restored. It was essentially Senatorial coinage yet was issued by Titus. Vespasian alone determined the style and content of his commemorative coinage. Titus, however, sought input from the Senate in the design and content of the restoration coinage. Evidentally it was important to him to have the two main powers of the State jointly honor the illustrious dead in this fashion and co-operation was reinforced by the striking of "Aes" coins bearing the usual Senatorial S C (Senatus Consulto) together with the "Restoration" legend. Of course, the Emperor was the supreme authority, and the Senate was subservient to him, but the traditional Senatorial control of the "Aes" coinage still had some relevance.

RESTITVIT is often abbreviated to REST on the reverse of these coins.

The Emperor and the Senate, acting together, selected the deceased Augusti and family members they deemed worthy of being honored by the issuance of Restored coinage - a kind of official judgment of their records. Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, Galba - and selected family members - were included. Caligula, Nero, Otho, Vitellius - and their family members were excluded.

The following members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, and Galba, were honored with Restored coins by Titus:l

Augustus - sestertius, dupondius, as

Agrippa - as

Tiberius - sestertius, as

Drusus - as

Livia - dupondius

Nero Drusus - sestertius

Germanicus - dupondius

Agrippina I - sestertius

Claudius - sestertius, dupondius as

Galba - sestertius, dupondius, as

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Restoration coinage of Domitian follows that of Titus, but the output was much lighter and appears to be restricted to a short period at the beginning of his reign.

The Restoration coinage of Nerva also follows that of Titus, but it only includes two honorees: Divus Augustus and Agrippina senior.

* Trajan’s Restoration/Restitution coinage was based on different criteria and he issued it in bronze, silver and gold. He also issued this coinage to honor Distinguished Republican families.

Examples of restored coins by Titus I have collected:


AUGUSTUS AS, TITUS RESTORATION ISSUE, 80-81 AD
(27mm, 10.71 gm)

BMCRE Volume II, Rome, Titus No. 273-275
RIC Volume II, Part 1 (second edition), Titus, No. 462

Obverse depiction: Augustus, radiate head facing left
Inscription: DIVVS AV _____ GVSTVS PATER

Reverse depiction: Eagle with wings spread standing on Globe
Inscription: IMP T CAES AVG RESTITVIT - S C (above, left and right)



AUGUSTUS AS, TITUS RESTORATION ISSUE, 80-81 AD
(27mm, 10.03 gm)

BMCRE Volume II, Rome, Titus No. 271 (variant)
RIC Volume II, Part 1 (second edition), Titus, No. 454

Obverse depiction: Augustus, radiate head facing left
Inscription: DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER

Reverse depiction: Altar enclosure with double doors
Inscription: IMP T VESP AVG REST - S C (left and right) - PROVIDENT (in exergue)



AGRIPPA AS, TITUS RESTORATION ISSUE, 80-81 AD
(27mm, 10.00 gm)
BMCRE Volume II, Rome, Titus No. 281 (Pl.54.9.)

Obverse depiction: Agrippa, radiate head facing left wearing rostral crown
Inscription: AGRIPPA L F COS III

Reverse depiction: Neptune standing left holding small dolphin and trident
Inscription: IMP T VESP AVG REST - S C (left and right)


Photo credit: @furryfrog02 - well known member of Coin Talk

TIBERIUS AS, TITUS RESTORATION ISSUE, 80-81 AD
(27mm, 11gm)
BMCRE Volume II, Rome, Titus No. 284 (Pl.54.11.)

Obverse depiction: Tiberius, bare head facing left
Inscription: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS IMP VIII

Reverse depiction: Large S C
Inscription: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST



CLAUDIUS SESTERTIUS, TITUS RESTORATION ISSUE, 80-81 AD
(34.5mm, 23.12 gm)

BMCRE Volume II, Rome, Titus No. 297 (pl. 56.1)
RIC Volume II (1962 Edition), Rome, Titus, No. 234
RIC Volume II, Part 1 (second edition), Titus, No. 472 (Sear No. 2601)

Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP PP

Reverse depiction: Personification of Spes holding flower
in right hand and demurely raising skirt with left hand
Inscription: IMP T VESP AVG REST - S C (left and right)

I would appreciate postings in reply that contain corrections, additions and general comments relating to this restoration coinage.

Thank you,
James

 

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Here is the link to the Wildwinds (@david Sear) description of the Claudius Restoration Spes Sestertius that I feature in the above post.

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s2601.html#RIC_0472[titus]

 

Very informative article, jamesicus. And wonderful coins. I am going to keep this in my permanent reference file.

A while back I lucked into a very poor condition Titus restoration of Germanicus as in an eBay lot. Ugly, but not a type I'd ever thought I'd own.



Titus Æ As
Germanicus Restoration Issue
(80-81 A.D.)
Rome Mint
GER[MANICVS CAESAR TI AV]G F DIVI AVG N, head of Germanicus, bare, left /
IMP T CAES [DIVI VESP F] AVG REST · around large S-C.
RIC 442 (RIC [1962] 228) (Titus)
(8.25 grams / 23 mm)

 

Thank you for posting that @Marsyas Mike. It seems to me that many (maybe most?) Restoration coins offered for sale are not in what many would say “the best condition” - possibly well circulated and used? Surely there are no “ugly” Ancient coins in our eyes, are there? - only wonderful historical artifacts to be treasured. Anyway I like your coin very much, Mike - thank you for posting it.

 

Some great restoration coinage jamesicus, I particularly like the Claudius Spes type. I have a Claudius from Domitian Claudius Restoration issued under Domitian AE AS, Rome Mint, Ca. 81-82 AD Wt.: 9.6 g.

 

Thank you @Ancient Aussie! Great coin you posted. In my (admittedly limited) experience with Restoration Coinage this issue of the Claudius sestertius by Domitian is particularly desireable.

 

Please post photos of your Restoration coins.

 

LIVIA
AE Dupondius
OBVERSE: IVSTITIA, draped bust of Livia as Justitia right, wearing stephane
REVERSE: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST, around large SC
Restoration issue under Titus.
Rome, AD 80-81
9.9g, 27mm
Cohen 9, RIC II 424 (Titus), BMC 289 (Titus), Komnick 15
Modern stamp, 7 over 36 on obverse

 

My coin is the Nerva as for Divus Augustus. It may be in better condition because it spent many years attached to something using the three holes. I would love to know its story but never will. I do not consider it ugly.

 

Great coin that is seldom seen, Bing - thank you for posting it!
It is a Plate coin in BMCRE Vol II, Titus, Rome, (pl. 55.5). I love the patina on your coin!

 

Thank you for posting that Doug. Not only do I not consider it ugly, in my eyes it is lovely! I think the green patina is beautiful - the holes do not detract at all for me - in fact they add intrigue. For some reason REST is often only partially discernible on Restoration coinage - it is very clear on this coin (very nice portrait also).

 

MARCUS ANTHONY RESTITUTION
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: ANTONIVS AVGVR III VIR R P C, Galley left.
REVERSE: ANTONINVS ET VERVS AVG REST, legionary eagle between two standards, LEG VI between
Struck at Rome, 168AD
3.81g, 20mm
RIC III 443 (Marcus Aurelius) ; BMCRE 500

Mark Antony restitution commemorative issued 168 AD, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the battle of Actium.

 

Thanks for posting that, Bing. It is a gorgeous coin - do you own it?

 

Yes. I purchased it back in 2016

 

That must be the star of your collection, Bing - congratulations!

 

Maybe not the star, but close enough. Thanks for the compliments

 

For those who do not know this type: There are a couple things that I find interesting. The original coin was inscribed ANT AVG with ANT abbreviating Antonius and AVG being Augur. In the elapsed 200 years ANT would have been read as Antoninus by most people and AVG had become the standard for Augustus. This meant that the restoration coins had to spell out both words to avoid confusing the 'modern' Roman on the street. Who knows why they selected LEG VI for the restitution?

 

A side note:

Just out of curiosity I did a quick online search to see if any coins of this type were being offered for sale. I found that one is currently listed on Vcoins for $150 (plus shipping) - and one is available on Amazon (for $1000 plus shipping!!!). I do not know anything about this coin issue, but I was surprised by the enormous price differential.

 

Personally, I have NEVER had good luck looking at coins on Amazon. This is for exactly you reveal: ridiculously high prices. I wonder if folks mark a high retail here, then can offer a great deal on the normal distribution points for Ancients. Or, they feel that audience has no clue, and will buy an old coin at high prices.

 

Thank you Doug - that kind of detail and precision is very helpful. I will leave it up to Bing to answer your question.