This neat Titus Caesar as arrived last weekend, but I've just now gotten around to cataloguing it! A rare type paying tribute to the legions that brought the Flavian dynasty to the throne. Titus as Caesar Æ As, 10.92g Rome mint, 72 AD (Vespasian) RIC 449 (R). BMC 644. Obv: T CAES VESPASIAN IMP P TR P COS II; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: S C in field; Aquila between two standards Acquired from Praefectus Coins, April 2019. Ex Savoca Silver 30, 27 January 2019, lot 337. The aquila between two standards type was struck early in Vespasian's reign to honour the loyalty of the legions, seen here on the reverse of this rare Titus as Caesar as. The aquila, which featured an eagle clutching a thunderbolt, was the most important standard of any legion. With the recent successful completion of the Civil War and Jewish rebellion Vespasian and Titus knew which side their bread was buttered on! The type was later revived under Titus and Domitian on their cistophori. Share your standards or military types!
Nice bronze, @David Atherton ! Standards run amok on Roman coinage, particularly in the Constantinian era. Here's one where the standard is quite well-rendered, especially on such a small coin: Delmatius, as Caesar, AD 335-337. Roman billon reduced centenionalis, 1.47g, 16.4 mm, 1 h. Siscia, AD 336-337. Obv: FL DELMATIVS NOB C, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers standing facing each other, each resting on on spear and shield, one standard between them; BSIS in exergue. Refs: RIC vii, p. 458, 256; LRBC 758; Cohen 4; RCV 16894.:
Wow David, that is a lovely coin. I love the portrait and the reverse is excellent. Here is one of Nero.
Not a type you see for sure, very nice with a great portrait. Postumus (260 - 269 A.D.) AR Antoninianus O: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: FIDES EXERCITVS Four military standards, hand on top of second, eagle on third. Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck 266 A.D. 3.8g 20mm RIC V 303; Cunetio 2432; Elmer 417; RSC 65 Rarely posted. C. Valerius Flaccus 82 B.C. AR Denarius O: Winged bust of Victory right. R: C VA. FLA IMPERAT / EX - S.C., Aquila between two signa inscribed H (Hastati) and P (Principes). Rome 3.5g 18.97mm Crawford 365/1b, Valeria 12b, Syd 747b Ex. Madroosi collection Ex. VAuctions Sale 304, Lot 280
Lovely coin of one of the best emperors. My wife will be the first to tell you I have no standards, but that simply isn't true. I just don't show that I do often. So here's another Titus with eagle reverse:
The eagle on this one looks more like a buzzard Constantine I A.D. 312-313 22mm 4.1gm IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right. SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI; Legionary eagle (to the left) between two vexilla, that on left surmounted by a right hand (missing a finger), that on right by a wreath; flag on the eagle and one vexillum. in ex MOSTS RIC VI Ostia 94
Another 1 for Constantine, this from the Rome mint. Shame about the multiple strike issues, you can see the Eagle in middle with open wings.
Here's a poor man's version for Augustus: The standards surround the horse's rear guard; aquila in center. Was also going to show a Philip I standards ant, but I cannot see an aquila in that group.
Those are both 2 outstanding coins. Here are some adlocutios to the troops and a sestertius of Philip with standard. I threw in a Germanicus, since it celebrates a military theme.
I wish I had included in my above write-up about the standards type having recently been struck by Nero. Nice example Andrew.
And I should have included the later Titus cistophorus of the type in the OP. Titus AR Cistophorus, 10.55g Rome mint (for Asia), 80-81 AD RIC 516 (R). BMC 149. RSC 398. RPC 861 (4 spec.). Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: Aquila between two standards, one surmounted by a banner, the other by a hand Ex CNG E400, 28 June 2017, lot 609.
