Extremely Rare Titus Drachm

The Rome mint under Vespasian started the practice of striking provincial coinage for Cappadocia. The first issue was a small series of drachms coined for Vespasian, Titus Caesar and Domitian Caesar. These Roman pieces can be distinguished from the locally produced coins by the 6 o'clock die axis and 'Roman' style. Butcher and Ponting's analysis of the issue concluded the Roman style coins have the same silver content as contemporary Roman denarii. The coins were presumably engraved and struck at Rome and then sent to Cappadocia for provincial circulation.

I recently was able to acquire a very rare Titus Caesar drachm from the first Rome issue.



Titus Caesar
AR Drachm, 3.13g
Rome mint (for Cappadocia), 73-74 AD
RPC 1638 (4 spec.)
Obv: AYTO KAI OYЄCΠACIANOC CEBACTOY YIOC; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: NIKH CЄBACTH; Nike advancing r., wreath in r. hand, palm in l. hand

I could not find another example of this type from Rome online. It's the first one I've seen in trade. The seller misattributed it as a common Vespasian Nike didrachm, hence I was able to acquire it at a bargain price.

 

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A great coin, congrats.

 

Very nice catch David. I really like the style of the portrait.

 

Very nice coin, it must be a great feeling to pick up such a rare coin at a bargain price, congrats.

 

Don't you just love it when this happens. Great coin @David Atherton

 

Oh yes. It would easily have been 3 or 4 times the amount I paid if properly attributed ... maybe more in a high profile auction.

 

David, what (besides RPC) identifies this coin as one of Titus? The portrait? The "YIOC" (which means what?) in the legend? The rest of the legend seems proper to Vespasian.

 

Both the portrait and legend identify this coin as Titus Caesar. 'YIOC' basically can be translated as 'son of', so it is a title of princes.

Here is a contemporaneous Titus Caesar portrait from Rome for comparison.


Titus Caesar
AR Denarius, 3.50g
Rome Mint, 74 AD
RIC V706 (R), BMC V151, RSC 160
Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: PONTIF TR P COS III; Caduceus, winged

 

Congrats David. Thats a really neat find.

 

Thanks Randy. These Rome mint drachms are tough to come by, so I was really thrilled to get it!

 

Incredible style on the portrait : fascinating

Q

 

Heh, I guess I'm not the only one who mistakes the son for the father! I find these guys hard to tell apart by portrait alone, especially if there's any degree of wear present.

 

For novices, I think Syrian tets are the toughest to tell apart just by portrait. Denarii are easy by comparison!