When @David Atherton last showed his example of this type in September, I'm embarrassed to say I couldn't help gushing like an overenthusiastic coin geek: I wasn't just laying it on though; I'd loved it ever since he first got it over four and half years ago. Little did I know at the time that just three days later, I'd actually get a shot at acquiring my own example of this rare type. I absolutely overpaid to win it, but now that I have it in hand, my verdict is - absolutely worth it! Feel free to show us your favorite Titus, temple, or even just a coin that made you feel you simply had to win it. TITUS AR Cistophorus. 10.77g, 26.5mm. Rome mint (for circulation in Asia), AD 80-81. RIC II.1 515; RPC II 860. O: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; laureate head right. R: Tetrastyle Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, enclosing figures of Juno, Jupiter seated, and Minerva; in pediment, two anguiped giants holding large facing bust placed on a base, atop pediment, facing quadriga in center between facing bigas at corners; CAPIT across field, RESTIT in exergue. Ex Stein A. Evensen Collection; ex Sierra Collection (CNG 88, 14 September 2011), lot 1298; ex CNG E-Auction 125 (26 October 2005), lot 222
Beautiful Denarius, @zumbly ! LOL, I have shown this before, and it is a WELL worn version, but it was one, for some reason, that I HAD to have. RI Titus 79-81 CE AR Denarius Sow piglets
Uh, oh... asleep at the wheel. I was just so BEDAZZLED by the reverse, it outshone EVERYTHING else to me. And, you had to slam me with a cat...
Just the fact that photos of these cistophorus coins can be easily mistaken for denarii based on photos is cool in itself as it illustrates clearly that the same die engravers worked on both. These are neat coins and you’ve got an especially nice one. Great coin @zumbly .
I love it zumbly, an excellent Titus portrait and great detail of the temple especially the pediment. Fantastic score.
Definitely. I've made the same mistake on more than one occasion when just looking at the pictures and not noticing the denomination or dimensions. Thanks! The pediment detail was a major attraction for me. It's interesting that the Temple depicted on the earlier sestertii of Vespasian show a pediment decoration that's quite different from Titus's (and also a hexastyle rather than tetrastyle facade). Coin below, not mine: The arrangement of Jupiter enthroned surrounded by other deities and figures more closely resembles what can be seen on the 'Marcus Aurelius sacrificing before the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus' bas relief panel below: Regarding this, Curtis Clay notes: "It is difficult to decide whether these differences represent actual sculptural changes made in Titus' reconstruction of the temple, or are merely inventions of Titus' type designer without basis in reality."
I think with the columns reduced to four was maybe slightly more room on the Sestertius and the need to facilitate CA PIT across the width of temple on yours. But hey the more differences the more interesting the coin.
I feel like this thread didn't get enough love the first time around. A large diameter silver beauty showing the grandad of Roman architecture is a sweet addition! I got a chance to visit what was left of this building the last time I was in Rome. The foundation is in the basement of the Capitoline Museum (which is amazing!).
Thanks for those images, Curtis. I especially like your shot of the Temple's foundation and the model. Very cool! As an aside, despite the reverse of this coin being where the money's at, I have to say I'm very fond of the portrait as well. A few days ago I happened on a die match for the obverse, on cistophorus with a different reverse type, belonging to @David Atherton. Mine: David's:
I can't believe I missed this post! Great addition @zumbly. I find the coinage with the Capitonline temple on the reverse very interesting. Due to the coinage it is possible to follow the development of the temple of Iupiter Optimus Maximus. I did a little write-up about the temple a while ago. I don't have a cistophorus, but I can share one of my latest coin additions involving the temple. Interesting to note is that your Cistophorus seems to be lacking two pillars, which are shown on an ealier denarius of Petillius Capitolines and a later denarius below by Domitian, struck between 94/96 AD.
Thanks, and wow, I can't believe I missed your great thread about the Temple. Thanks for linking it. Yup, it's interesting about the temple being portrayed as tetra- rather than hexastyle. Artistic license, I suppose? It's also shown as tetrastyle on the Marcus Aurelius panel I posted above.
Fantastic cistophorus @zumbly! Utterly superb. The structure depicted on these cistophorii is a fantasy and not based on reality. It was still under construction when these pieces were minted and would not be completed until early in Domitian's reign. And I do believe the same die engravers worked on both denarii and cistophori.
Super duper coin, Z! The portrait alone must make Flavian fanatics drool and the reverse is interesting for many reasons.
Thanks! Now that you mention it, tracking down a denarius or two from the same die engraver sounds like a fun endeavour. It’s the squiggly snake-legged giants for me.