Those of you that are familar with my Flavian coin fixation will not be surprised by my newest addition. In 80 AD, Titus struck a series of denarii that likely commemorates the opening games of the Colosseum. One of the types consists of a triangular frame atop a square seat. It comes in three variants: RIC 124a with five palmettes, RIC 124b with three palmettes (the rarest of the three variants), and RIC 124c with nine palmettes. I was finally able to obtain a rare 124b! Titus AR Denarius, 3.43g Rome mint, 80 AD RIC 124b (C2), BMC 61, RSC 313a Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P; Seat, draped; above, triangular frame with three palmettes This denarius is a reverse die match with the RIC 125 plate coin, a left facing portrait variant of the type. Personally, this is cause for a minor celebration. To almost everyone else it's just another Titus denarius, and that's OK by me.
Here's a 124a with 5 palmettes. It should be in my hands fairly soon. It's in customs in New York right now.
"...fairly soon" he says. HAHAHAHAHAHAH! Seriously. I hope you have better luck than I. A Julius Caesar / Aeneas denarius has been enjoying a nice New York vacation for 55 days and counting. But not to completely hijack the thread...congrats on the coin, David!
Yes. One of the first Titus denarii I ever purchased way back in 2004 from a now defunct coin dealer. Those of you who were ancient coining back then will recognise his trademark photo style.
Interesting variation (within the lmits of an ultra-specialized niche). I wasn't aware of those different types before. Q
The games of the Colosseum, eh? Pretty cool! Reminds me of this double dactyl by the mysterious and pseudonymous poet, Senex Caecilius: Morituri Te Salutant Higgledy-Piggledy Flavian spectacle: Humans and animals Give it their best; Stirring the crowd with the Amphitheatrical "Ave, Imperator..."; You know the rest.
Another cool variant David!! It seems I could write several books with infinite volumes detailing what I don't know and never suspected LOL
