I got this coin as part of a pair with my other Titus I posted here a couple of days ago. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/hope-for-a-better-future.358087/ It's not particularly rare, in fact it's a fairly common type. Titus Æ As, 10.28g Rome mint, 80-81 AD Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: PAX AVGVST; S C in field; Pax stg. l., with branch and caduceus RIC 229 (C). BMC specimen acquired 1968. BNC 218. Acquired from Praefectus Coins, March 2020. A common carry-over Pax type from Vespasian's reign. She is seen here with an olive branch and Felicitas' caduceus, likely based on a cult image. There were several versions of the Pax type struck in this fairly large bronze issue - the variant with branch and caduceus being the most common. This issue with Titus as COS VIII dates to 80-81. It cannot be narrowed down to one year or the other because Titus did not resume the consulship in 81. The most logical conclusion is that the coins from this substantial issue spans both years, which would account for its unusually large size. Please post your Pax coins!
My favorite Pax coins are the set from Carausius in his own name and those of Diocletian and Maximianus (issued without their permission) using the reverse legend PAX AVGGG indicating three Augusti when they only saw two. These come in several varieties from two mints.
Pax on a big greenie of Titus... TITUS AE Sestertius. 23.72g, 34.3mm. Eastern mint (in Thrace or Bithynia?), circa AD 80-81. RIC 498; RPC 501. O: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII, laureate head right. R: PAX AVGVST, Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopiae; S-C in field.
Nice coin! Here is Pax with the same attributes, only sitting instead of standing. Vespasian 69-79 AR Denarius Struck January-June 70 AD 3,46g/18mm IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG laureate head right. COS ITER TR POT Pax seated left, holding branch and caduceus. Ric 29
That as has high-quality artistry, @David Atherton . It may be pedestrian in theme but not in eye-appeal! I have a number of Pax coins, which I like for various reasons. I like this one of Philip I because it refers to a specific historical event: his quickly-negotiated peace treaty with the Sassanians in February, 244, after his assumption of power following the death of Gordian III. Its reverse inscription is translated "Peace established with Persia." Philip I, AD 244-249. Roman AR Antoninianus, 3.51 g, 21.4 mm, 1 h. Antioch, AD 244. Obv: IMP C M IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG PM, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: PAX FVNDATA CVM PERSIS, Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse scepter. Refs: RIC 69; Cohen 113; RCV 8941; Hunter 120. I like this one from the early years of Trajan's reign because Pax's hips don't lie! Trajan, AD 98-117. Roman AR Denarius, 3.21 g, 17.8 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 98-99. Obv: IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right. Rev: PONT MAX TR POT COS II, Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopiae. Refs: RIC 17; BMCRE 14-17; Cohen/RSC 292; Strack 13; Hill UCR 29; RCV 3152. I like this one of Trebonianus Gallus because of the artistry, which -- despite the comic enormity of Pax's nose -- is rather uncommon on coins of the "four bad years." Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253. Roman AR antoninianus, 3.90 g, 21.4 mm, 7 h. Branch mint (traditionally attributed to Mediolanum), 2nd emission, AD 252-253. Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: PAX AETERNA, Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse scepter. Refs: RIC 71; Cohen 76; RCV 9639, Hunter 51; ERIC II 40. And speaking of bad artistry in the mid-third century AD, I love these Gallienus antoniniani because of their shoddy manufacture. Gallienus, AD 253-268. Roman billon antoninianus, 1.89 g, 18.5 mm, 11 h. Rome or Mediolanum, AD 260-268. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head, right. Rev: PA[X AVG?], Pax standing left, raising branch in right hand and holding long transverse scepter in left. Refs: Too off-center to attribute precisely. Gallienus, AD 253-268. Roman billon antoninianus, 3.21 g, 21.1 mm, 11 h. Rome, AD 260-268. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: PAX AVG, Pax standing left, raising branch in right hand and holding long transverse scepter in left; * in right field. Refs: RIC --; Göbl (?); Cohen --; RCV 10300 var. Note: Apparently unlisted with a star in the field.
Here's Titus with a Pax reverse. I love the "stern" looking portrait. Titus (Augustus) Coin: Brass Sestertius IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII - Head of Titus, laureate, right PAX AVGVST S C - Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopiae Exergue: Mint: Rome (80-81AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 22.43g / 33.64mm / 180 References: RIC 2, Pt. 1-Titus 154 Provenances: Marc Breitsprecher Acquisition/Sale: Ancient Imports Internet $0.00 7/17 Notes: Jun 13, 18 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection
Here's an Emperor not shown so far... Philip II... AR Antoninianus 247-249AD(23mm, 4.29g, 1h). Rome, AD 247. Obverse..IMP PHILIPPUS AVG...Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Reverse..PAX AETERNA...Pax standing left, holding olive branch and short sceptre. RIC IV 231c; RSC 23
Nice addition @David Atherton. I don't have a Flavian issue with Pax reverse, but I do have the ones below. Interesting to note is that the instruments of Pax vary per coin, except for the olive branch. Also, as time progressed, Pax' movement progressed as well: seated, standing, walking
Here is a Pax that is not prevalent on this coin (anymore).. Titus is left facing here - but not at all rare.
PAX - Usurper Style RI Carausius usurper in Britain CE 287–293 BI Ant 4.7g 24mm London radiate cuirassed - PAX AVG Pax stndg l branch scepter S—P RIC V 475 RI Carausius 287-293 AE22 London mint PAX
A Pax on a coin of a peaceful man: Commodus AR Denarius 181 AD. Obv. Laureate head right, M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG/ Rev. Pax standing left, holding branch & cornucopiae, TR P VI IMP IIII COS III P P. RIC III 17, RSC II 806. 17 mm., 3.15 g.
