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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 3999722, member: 82616&quot;]I systematically collect Flavian silver, so it was a great joy for me to find this little beauty on eBay last month. A denomination you don&#039;t see everyday!</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1053127[/ATTACH]<b>Titus as Caesar</b></p><p>AR Quinarius, 1.41g</p><p>Rome mint, 75(?) AD (Vespasian)</p><p>Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIAN; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.</p><p>Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory std. l., with wreath and palm</p><p>RIC 810 (C). BMC 314. RSC 375. BNC 277.</p><p>Acquired from eBay, December 2019.</p><p><br /></p><p>Vespasian revived the quinarius after a long hiatus going back to the time of Augustus. Striking this denomination was quite in keeping with the antiquarian flavour of the Rome mint during the reign. Vespasian&#039;s moneyer&#039;s struck a great issue of undated quinarii in 75, possibly in conjunction with the opening of his Temple of Peace. These tiny coins may have been distributed during special occasions. Two standard Victory types (seated or advancing) were employed along with various variant legend spellings and orientations. The variations are: obverse legend - VESPASIANVS or more commonly for Titus Caesar VESPASIAN; reverse legend - AVGVSTI or less commonly AVGVST. The reverse legend can also either be oriented from low r. or high l. Dating this undated issue is a little tricky. The quinarii struck before 75 have AVGVSTI in the reverse legend, while those struck after 75 use the shorter AVGVST. The undated issue employs both forms, therefore it fits neatly to 75. This quinarius struck for Titus Caesar is perhaps the most common variant struck for him in the issue.</p><p><br /></p><p>Because of their small size, quinarii can often look a bit dodgy - off centred, poor style, and worn. This one I think avoids all those pitfalls and has a pretty rainbow tone as well.</p><p><br /></p><p>Feel free to show your tiny silver![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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