My newest addition is a perfect compliment to Titus' posthumous reputation. Aequitas! It was a favourite type for both himself and Vespasian. Titus Æ As, 9.73g Rome mint, 80-81 AD RIC 215 (C). BMC 204. Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l. Rev: AEQVITAS AVGVST; S C in field; Aequitas stg. l., with scales and rod Ex eBay, 10 May 2019. Titus produced a sizeable bronze issue in 80-81. He did not renew the consulship in 81, so it is difficult to pin down a precise date. Owing to the issue's large size it is likely many of the coins did indeed spill over into 81. Here we see a common Aequitas type from that large issue which was originally struck under Vespasian, who in turn copied it from Galba. Aequitas likely represents fairness in issuing out the corn dole. Worn, but I think it still has plenty of eye-appeal. Feel free to post your 'fair' coins!
Great coin David. I know we discussed this before but I still see a portrait that looks more like Domitian than Titus. Here's one of my Titus coins, not fair but happy... T CAESAR IMP COS V Radiate head right FELICITAS PVBLICA Felicitas, wearing long dress and cloak, standing facing, diademed head turned left, holding cornucopiae in her left hand, laurel branch in her raised right hand. SC in field Rome, 76 AD 12.17g RIC 909 Vespasian (R) Rare. Ex-ANE Gemini notes: "COS V bronzes of Titus are scarce: only one such As, no dupondii or sestertii, in the BM collection by 1976."
Well, since you asked for any Aequitas coinage, here's my Mr. Spock as Philip I, with an Aequitas reverse. Almost looks as if Mr. Spock got stuck in a time warp and spent a few months in ancient Rome impersonating Philip the Arab. And yeah, the resemblance to Mr. Spock is the main reason I bid on this coin in the first place. Uhm, I'm not a Trekkie though....definitely not. . We don't do Star Trek stuff in my home, and my Avatar being Mr. Spock is just a coincidence. Just ask my son....
My Annona is a sestertius and the Aequitas is an as. That is exactly the way I see it. You have heard the term 'Bread and Circuses'. Well fed and entertained masses don't riot as often as those with nothing to lose.
This is a bit of a long story so bear with me. Back in the day when my primary interest was belt fed automatic weapons something of a separatist movement to hold here in Alberta. The one overriding theme was equality and fairness. " The west wants in (or else)" was a major rallying cry. Later as I became interested in the eastern denarii and antoninianii of the Roman Empire I noticed that a lot of the coins featured Aequitas. Given my background, I couldn't help but think that either these coins were a call for equality by the local populations in the east or promises by the Emperor to address this concern. 1.Antoninianus of Philip I Antioch RIC 82 var 244-249 A.D. 2. Antoninianus of Philip II Antioch RIC- 244-249 A.D.
Upon David's invitation to "post your 'fair' coins", and in keeping with his Titus -- my mind turned to a fair/rare coin in my collection. It is RPC II 2012; McAlee 382; Vagi 1310. I've been unable to find a single example online other than this one. Despite its fairness it has enough detail to conclusively attribute. I'm proud to have this piece of 1st Jewish Revolt history!
Nice new acquisition! Here are two denarii of Nerva and Lucius Verus showing Aequitas: Nerva, Roman Empire, denarius, 97 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG GERM PM TR P II, laureate head of Nerva right. Rev: IMP II COS IIII PP, Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae. 18mm, 2.98g. Ref: RIC II, 40. Lucius Verus, Roman Empire, denarius, 167/168 AD. Rome mint. Obv: L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, laureate head of Lucius Verus right. Rev: TR P VIII IMP V COS III, Aequitas seated left, holding scales and cornucopiae. 18mm, 2.62g. Ref: RIC III, 595. Ex Coast to Coast Coins.
That’s a nice new addition. Here’s my Antoninus Pius denarius with Aequitas reverse. Antoninus Pius, 138-161 AD AR Denarius, Rome Mint Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P ; Laureate head right. Rev: COS IIII ; Aequitas standing left, holding scales and rod. RIC III 127
a Vespasian's Aequitas As: 26 mm, 10.51 g; Rome, 74 AD Ref.: RIC² Vespasian 722; BMC.702; Ob.: IMP CAESAR VESP AVG COS V CENS laureate head left Rev.: AEQUITAS AVGVST Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and long vertical rod (pertica) in left; S C across field
and one of Titus: As, 25 x 26 mm, 10.73 g; Rome, 74 AD struck under Vespasian Ref.: RIC II, Part 1 (2nd edition) Vespasian 744; Cohen 2; Ob.: T CAESAR IMP COS III CENS laureate head of Titus to right Rev.: AE-QVITAS AVGVST, Aequitas standing left, holding scales in her right hand and long scepter with her left; S - C across field
Very nice coin. I don't have a Titus with Aequitas (or any coin of Titus sadly), but I did just purchase this as of Vespasian. This one is rare because Aequitas is holding a palm branch, versus a rod. Photo courtesy the seller, Holding History Inc. -Jeremy