I was attracted to this common coin because of the portly Titus on the obverse. The engraver portrays the young Titus Caesar as going through a 'fat Elvis' stage. Perhaps it was a sign of success? Titus as Caesar Æ Semis, 7.40g Antioch mint, undated (Vespasian) Obv: T CAESAR IMP PONT; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: S • C in laurel wreath RPC 2015 (12 spec.). Acquired from London Ancient Coins, January 2020. An undated issue of leaded bronze coins with Latin legends were struck at Antioch sometime between 76 and 78. They can be distinguished from an earlier Rome mint issue with similar designs by the local style and 12 o'clock die axis. Production of the series likely commenced soon after the Rome issue had run its course. This semis struck for Titus Caesar is one of the more common types. Post your pudgy portraits!
Granted, some of the pudginess was due to the damage that this coin suffered: Nero Caesar, A.D. 50-54 Augustus, A.D. 54-68 Bronze Dupondius Lugdunum mint, A.D. 66-68 Obv: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P PP Rev: SECVRITAS AVGVSTI - Securitas, seated on throne, and holding scepter; lighted altar in front of her; SC in exergue RIC 597 (corrected) 31mm, 11.5g.
Great portrait and fun thread idea, @David Atherton! I always figured Titus chubbiness was a layer of "good living" on top of real muscles. Nero in the other hand, seems more to have layers of good living on top of more layers of good living
Very nice Titus.. Nero and Vespasian would be obvious candidates... Here is a Licinius that is pudgy and wonderfully weird. Licinius I. A.D. 308-324. reduced follis (19 mm, 3.04 g). Heraclea, ca. A.D. 321-324. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Jupiter standing left, holding Victory and scepter; eagle at feet left;
Those Antiochene coins of the Flavians make 'em all look pudgy. Here's a Domitian. Look at that bull neck! Domitian as Caesar, AD 69-81 Roman provincial Æ semis; 6.93 g, 21.1 mm, 1 h Syria, Seleukis and Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem, AD 69-81 Obv: DOMITIA-NVS CAESAR, laureate head left Rev: SC within laurel wreath Refs: SGI 872; BMC 20.181, 251; Cohen 746; RPC II 2017; McAlee 403a.:
