I have been keeping on eye out for one of these for some time. Luckily I was checking the unsold lots on Artemide Aste (I do this often and have found a umber of great coins for opening bid prices) and I stumbled upon this one. While this coin is called common in RIC, examples do not come to market very often. Bonvs Eventvs or "good outcome" From wikipedia: Coins featuring Bonus Eventus were issued during the turmoil of the Year of Four Emperors (69 AD) and the reigns of Galba, Vespasian, Titus, Antoninus Pius, and Septimius Severus.[10] On these coins and on gems, Bonus Eventus is a standing male nude, usually with one leg bent and his head turned away toward a libation bowl in his outstretched hand. Sometimes he is partially clad in a chlamys that covers his back, or in an over-the-shoulder himation with the ends framing his torso. Poppies and stalks of grain are common attributes.[11] I like the portrait and the full legends. The figure on the reverse is worn but still well defined. Please post your favourite coins of Titus. Titus (79-81).AR Denarius, 79-80. 2.93g 19.00mm Obv: Head right, laureate.IMP TITVS CAESVESPASIAN AVG PM Rev: Bonus Eventus standing left, holding patera, corn-ears and poppy; BONVS EVENTVS AVGVSTI RIC (2nd ed.) 89.AR. Toned.About VF. Atrtemide Aste E-Live auction 8 Lot 268
Another sweet Flavian @Orfew I'm still on one Titus. It shows just how much diversity there is an ancient coinage when I have over 130+ coins and I only have repeat coins for three rulers, and all of my Greek and provincial coins are from unique cities (ie. I don't have multiple coins for the same city). I could easily triple my coin collection size without having to repeat any other rulers or have duplicate provincial or Greek cities represented. That's one of the reasons I love ancients so freaking much.
Sweet Bonvs Eventvs @Orfew Sounds like you scored a great deal on a nice coin and I'd say that's a "good outcome". -d
Your coin was on my watch list in the last Artemide auction. Since I had already spent my budget on another coin, I had to let it pass – yet I did so with a heavy heart. It's very good to hear that this denarius ended up with someone here on CT who truly appreciates it! Here is my favorite Titus: Titus (as Caesar under Vespasian), Roman Empire, denarius, 75–79 AD, Rome mint. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head right. Rev: IOVIS CVSTOS, Jupiter standing left, holding patera and sceptre; altar at left. 19mm, 3.2g. Ref: RIC II Vespasian 176. Ex Sphinx Numismatics.
@Orielensis Thanks for the kind words. I am sorry that you missed out on this one. I really like your Titus Iovis Cvstos. It is much nicer than mine. It is a difficult coin to find.
They missed at least one. Others? Their description of attributes have nothing to do with the Severan style or this Pescennius Niger.. I won't expect them or anyone to have heard of a Caracalla (likely barbarous).
Nice example Andrew! Here is a rare Vespasian Bonus Eventus. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.22g Uncertain mint, 69-71 AD RIC 1375 (R2). BMC 422. RSC 295a. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: PACIS EVENTVM; Bonus Eventus stg. l., with patera and poppy and corn ears
For comparison here is a denarius of a youthful Caracalla, AD 200, Rome Mint, 3.30 gm, with a attractive depiction of BONVS EVENTVS on the reverse.