I collected all three emperors of the Flavian dynasty, if you don't consider the coin minted under Titus as a cop-out VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head right PON MAX TR P COS V-74 AD CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS- 80 AD IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P X MP XXI COS XV CENS P P P: Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear; shield at the side- 90 AD, Antioch.
Interesting coins from an interesting period of Roman history. Collecting Flavians is very popular on this board – several forum members are true Flavian specialists. I'm not one of them, but I've got a small selection of portraits from that time: Vespasian, Roman Empire, denarius, 77/78 AD, Rome mint. Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev; ANNONA AVG, Annona seated left, holding corn ears. 19mm, 3.33g. Ref: RIC II Vespasian 964. Titus (under Vespasian), Roman Empire, denarius, 76 AD, Rome mint. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN, laureate head right. Rev: IOVIS CVSTOS, Jupiter standing left, holding patera and sceptre; altar at left. 19mm, 3.2g. Ref: RIC II Vespasian 863. Domitian, Roman Empire, denarius, 88/89 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VIII, laureate head of Domitian right. Rev: IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS PP, Minerva standing left holding thunderbolt and spear, leaning on shield. 19mm, 3.22g. Ref: RIC II (2007) Domitian 669.
What we think is irrelevant. I suspect you would still like a 'real' Titus and suggest you get one that has clear legend on the edge that has the T or the whole name spelled out. Sure, your Vespasian is a Vespasian but you probably would like one of his that has the clear legend that shows the coin is NOT a Titus. Imperfect, part legend Flavian denarii are common and inexpensive BUT I prefer coins that have only half of the legend but the correct half to ID the coin compared to a coin that has 90% of the legend but the missing part makes proper ID hard. The Domitian as Caesar under Titus is by far the best of the three coins. The Titus below has some weak letters but the letter that made me want the coin was the T. Obviously the pigs played a role. When I bought it, I thought I was settling for a defective coin but it turns out that these come in three piglet and two piglet variations.
A decent group of Flavian denarii. I too like the Domitian issued under Titus. I like the young portrait very much. Here is one of my favourite Flavian coins. A very rare D21. Note the PONT in the obverse legend.
Nice "complete set" - and with any "set" it always seems there is a reason to have just, one more coin. Here's my Titus "cop-out" coin : Divus Vespasianus, died AD 79, struck under Titus, AD 80-81, Rome, AR denarius Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS (starting from right side), laureate head right Rev: E-X across field, round shield inscribed [S C], set on low column, surmounted by an urn, flanked by laurel branches. Ref: RIC II 359 (Titus)
