I'm a sucker for these left facing portraits of Titus as Augustus, they tend to be in better style than the right facing ones. My latest addition is an excellent example of that superior 'lefty' style. Titus Æ Sestertius, 23.56g Rome mint, 80-81 AD Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l. Rev: ANNONA AVG; Annona stg. l., with statuette of Aequitas and cornucopiae; to l., modius with corn ears; to r., stern of ship RIC 137 (C2). BMC 153. BNC 152. Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachf., September 2019. Ensuring that the urban plebs were well fed was an important responsibility of the emperor. The reliability of the imperial grain supply from Africa was crucial. This sestertius struck in 80-81 by Titus advertises his commitment, through the auspices of Annona, to fairly provide enough bread for the dole. Annona holding a figure of Aequitas, while standing next to a modius full of corn, and with a docked grain ship in the background was explicitly powerful propaganda. Every pleb had little doubt who to thank for their daily bread. This fairly common sestertius was struck during Titus' great issue of bronze in 80-81. Oddly, the reverse lacks the Senatus Consulto decree seen on most of his imperial bronze. Although I was initially attracted by the obverse, the reverse's straightforward symbolism intrigued me. It would have been an easily decipherable message, even for an illiterate pleb. Feel free to post any coin you think is relevant.
My coin is a different die but I suspect was made by the same hand very slightly before or after. Obviously, I bought it for the obverse, too.
This coin has it's problems but I do like the coloring and the portrait.. TRAJAN AE orichalcum sestertius. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V P P, Laureate head right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse - SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, SC in ex, Victory standing left, holding palm branch and erecting trophy; shields at base. RIC 523. 32mm, 23.6g
I’m working on a 12 Caesars set, with as many middle bronze examples as possible. I admired this sestertius when it came on the market, but most of my set consists of AE asses. Yours is a lovely coin. I’m hoping to fill my Titus spot later this month from auction.
I bought this coin because I think it is a really successful portrait. I really am impressed how the die engraver handled the truncation of the neck. Also the reverse on this coin is a little rudimentary Tetradrachm of Demetrios I Soter Antioch mint 155-154 B.C. Rv Tyche seated l. SC 164(3)d 16.81 grms 27mm
