Elephants and the Colosseum

This coin is a continuation in my group of coins related to the history of the Colosseum, my favorite historical structure. I will likely still add a Divus Vespasian but consider the bulk of the set to be complete now:



Titus’ short reign was fraught with disasters. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, destroying the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. A disease spread across Rome in the same year, and a fire broke out shortly after which raged for three days and nights.

Seeing the need to reinvigorate a shattered population, Titus decided that it was necessary to expedite the opening of the Colosseum and to allow the people to partake in an incredible celebration.

Part of the celebration involved the minting of new coins like this one, a denarius depicting an elephant. Primarily originating in Africa, elephants were exotic and rare. During the inauguration of the Colosseum, Titus imported thousands of animals for exhibition, including elephants. Many of these animals were killed in the famous gladiator battles during the first games.

Romans prominently featured the elephant as a symbol on their coinage due to its impressive attributes. Elephants were frequently used in war and offered a major advantage over cavalry and infantry. The elephant’s size, strength, and thick, defensive hide made it a symbol of power, and, because of their long lives, they represented longevity and prosperity.

On this coin, the presence of an elephant also alludes to the desire for the success of the Flavian dynasty. Having just exited a substantial Civil War, it was hoped that the Flavians would bring a sustained period of peace to the empire.

The other related coins from my collection include my Colosseum sestertius (the centerpiece of the set):



Nero's "Status of Colossus" aureus (from which the Colosseum received its name):



And a Boscoreale aureus of Vespasian, the emperor under which construction of the Colosseum began:



Post your elephants or coins of Titus!

 

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great coins, WoW
These are mine Titus beauties

Titus sestertius, with Domitian on Horseback


Titus, with mars sestertius.

 

As always we have a fine write-up by AJ. I recall once seeing (but could not find it today) a discussion of the elephant variety shown on these coins. Today we recognize African and Asian but the Titus shows a round eared elephant not really like either. The question is where did Titus get his elephants.


A matter AJ is not likely to find of great interest is coin wear caused by the silver alloy used in this period. His perfect coins are more amazing when you consider that very high silver content coins wear more like gold than like the alloyed coins of the next century. My two denarii are very worn and much more like most you will see.

The Elephant of Titus shoes the TRP number nine recorded as a subtractive numeral IX which is unusual for ancient Romans. My Venus above shows nine as the more common VIIII. I have not done a study of all the Roman numerals shown on coins but this IX is unusual enough that it deserves mention. There is also some disagreement as to what is shown by the diamond pattern on the Titus variety elephant. AJ's is as clear as these get and supports that it was just how they showed elephant skin texture. Some claim the elephant was wearing patterned armor or fancy cloth as we see in India today. My Septimius Severus example shows similar cross-hatching but much more normally shaped ears.


My Commodus as is too worn to add much to this discussion but he does have nice long tusks. The ears appear squared.


Of course we get good elephants from India, Baktria and surrounding regions which we assume are all Asian varieties.

 

Great OP-elephant ... another AJ-winna!!



=> congrats on adding another gem!!

 

Congrats on the excellent Titus AJ! A superb coin.

One of my favourite Titus' is this left facing portrait of the type.


AR Denarius
Rome mint, 80 AD
RIC 116 (C), BMC 47, RSC 304
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P; Elephant, stg. l.

Many Flavian reverse types are a bit ambiguous with their symbolism, this elephant type is not one of those. "In that, loyal and suppliant, the elephant adores thee which here but now was so fearful a foe to a bull, this it does unbidden, at the teaching of no master ; believe me, it too feels the presence of our God!" - Martial, On The Spectacles, XVII.

 

Mine elephant great coins all

 

Wow, amazing elephants guys! Loivn' AJ's for detail and Doug's for character!

 

Wonderful. Don't have the type but would like too.

 

Another wonderful coin and write up AJ.

My meager example:

TITUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head right
REVERSE: TRP IX IMP XV COS VIII PP, elephant walking left
Struck at Rome, 80 AD
2.5g, 17mm
RIC 115

 

Absolutely!!

And I love the other posts as well..... I'm missing any of that particular type so I'll sit this one out.

Hmmm, another 'theme' I have on my ever-increasing want list---- It seems to continually grow instead of slowly reducing... LOl

 

TITUS 69 - 79 A.D.
AR Denarius (3.31 g.), Rome 80 A.D. RIC 115
IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM Laureate head of Titus right. Rev. TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Elephant, wearing cuirass, advancing left.​

 

Elephants on parade ...





=> oh, and Titus too ...

 

another beautiful coin and great write up AJ!

here are a couple of eastern elephant types that haven't been posted yet..





i just don't have a coin of titus! how embarrassing!

 

Thanks for this great write up on Roman coins of the Colosseum building era.

How rare is the coin you have pictured with the Colosseum on it. That's one that I would like to add to my collection.

I collect Italian and Sicilian coins from the 1600's to 1900 and it's become an addiction. I'm afraid to start a new addiction, collecting Ancient Italian (Roman) coins

 

To give you some idea of how rare and expensive a Colosseum sestertius can be, here's a fairly ratty and worn one that sold at auction for 1,000 euros http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2091895 . Joe's amazing example sold at Heritage Auctions for $125,000 USD.

 

As usual AJ, tremendous coins and very captivating write up
Related to the OP, I have just one elephant, just one colossus although not made of gold and just one Titus. Here they are (maybe some of you have already seen them ) :



Julius Caesar, Denarius minted in Italy, c.49 BC
CAESAR, elephant walking rigth, trampling on snake
No legend, Simpulum, sprinkler, axe and apex
4.05 gr
Ref : HCRI # 9, RCV #1399, Cohen #49



Nero, Denarius Rome mint, AD 64/65
NERO CAESAR, laureate head of Nero right
AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS, Nero standing facing, holding branch and victory on globe
3,32 gr
Ref : RCV #1941, Cohen #45, RIC # 47



ROMAN EMPIRE, TITUS Denarius RIC 26a Rome mint, AD 80
IMP TITUS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM, Laureate bust of Titus right
TRP IX IMP XV COS VIII PP, Dolphin entwined around anchor
3.56 gr
Ref : RIC # 26a, RCV # 2517, Cohen # 309

Q

 

I've got just a couple of elephants in my collection, but nothing of Titus unfortunately:


Julius Caesar. 49-48 BC. AR Denarius(3.91g, 18.32mm). CAESAR in exergue, elephant right, trampling on serpent / Simpulum, sprinkler, axe and priest's hat. Military Mint Traveling with Caesar. Crawford 443/1

This one's fairly low grade, but was cheap and had some interesting countermarks

Antiochus III, 223-187 BC, Æ19; Obverse: Head of Apollo right; Reverse: Elephant and rider right, tripod behind. anchor in rectangular punch and horse head in square punch; Antioch Mint, countermarked at Ekbatana; Houghton 76

 

My elephant is kind of worn and beaten up. In this coin, I choosed rarity versus quality. ( I haven't found yet another one in better condition )
Octavian Augustus as 27 BC - 14 AD
L. Aquillius Florus. Denarius, 19 BC, AR 3.46 g. Helmeted and draped bust of Virtus r. Rev. Biga of elephants driven l. By Augustus holding laurel branch and scepter. C 354. RIC 301. Very rare. Surface somewhat porous and banker's mark, CH very fine

 

A very nice Augustus ac.m

 

AH, Sheesh guys your killing me here...