The authorities seem conflicted on this identification, but most do regard this denarius as depicting a bearded 'Mutunus Tutunus' who was a Roman phallic marriage deity dating back to about the founding of Rome and ASSOCIATED with Priapus who originated with the ancient Greeks and dates back at least as long. Apparently......"During preliminary marriage rites, Roman brides are supposed to have straddled the phallus of Mutunus to prepare themselves for intercourse...." This 'cult' of Mutinus Titinus (another accepted spelling) seems to have died out by the 1st century AD and replaced BIG TIME with Priapus as the excavations at Pompeii seem to suggest An apparent pun by the moneyer seems to link the bust with this bearded deity as TITINVS is slang for penis (and MUTTO as well) and a wordplay on TITVS with the 'winged diadem' may have been a visual pun of a winged penis since 'TITVS' also refers to a type of bird. Thus, the 'winged diadem' is believed by some to be a reference to the....."Priapus of Lampsacus and to the winged phallus as a common motif in Roman decorative arts..." Crawford seems to strongly disagree. In any case, it's kind of a cool coin LOL....Even with the 'honest wear' and perhaps some additional 'cleaning', it exhibits a near centered strike. Q TITIVS, Rome mint 90 BC; 18 mm, 3,88 grams Bearded head of Mutinus Titinus right, wearing winged diadem Pegasus springing right from tables inscribed Q TITI Crawford 341/1: Syd 691
Nice example! I have the slightly different head... RR Q. Titius 90BCE AR Denarius Bacchus or Liber wreathed with Ivy Pegasus Q TITI on tablet below Crawford 342/2; Sear 239
My Q. Titivs (Believed to be) Q Titius Denarius. 90 BC. Head of young Bacchus right / Pegasus springing right from a tablet on which is inscribed Q TITI. Cr341/2, Syd 692.
Wow Mikey-Z => that's a great new OP-coin!! (I'm totally jealous) ... you had me at "Bearded head of Mutinus Titinus"
very cool MZ, i always thought that bearded guy was cool...but didn't really know anything about him. and who doesn't like a good ding dong pun?!
