Featured Titus and the Bull

I have been looking for a nice Titus for a while. I saw this denarius in a recent Catawiki auction. I was immediately interested mainly because of the combination of the depicted emperor and reverse. However, I had never participated in auctions before this purchase. I don't like it because you are constantly losing coins that you have been looking forward to. And the honesty area to say that my budget is also not sufficient for all auction fees. You also quickly pay more than you want (I experienced it).

My idea was to make a bid in the last two minutes, which I did. I expected that no one would go over it because my bid was fairly high (for the state of the coin). However, I was immediately outbid. I decided to make a final offer. And that turned out to be enough for my first auction acquisition.


T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN
laureate head right
COS V
bull standing right

Titus Caesar 69-79
AR Denarius
Struck 76
2,77g/18mm
Ric 858 (Vespasian) (R)

There is debate about the significance of the reverse of this coin. Mattingly thought that the reverse depicted a statue of the cow of Myron in the new Temple of Peace only that is quite problematic since some coins of this type (including this one) clearly show that we are dealing with a bull. An explanation could be that we are dealing here with a statue of the Apis Bull, which was recently erected in Rome, perhaps even at the Temple of Peace. Personally it seems a bit unlikely. The question is, what does the reverse mean? should it be seen as an early agricultural type? but what good is a bull on the land? Not the first animal you think of when you want to portray agriculture.

When you look at the scarce sources about the Flavian period. There is something remarkable to be found in the short biography of Titus by Suetonius.

This aroused the suspicion that he had tried to revolt from his father and make himself king of the East; and he strengthened this suspicion on his way to Alexandria by wearing a diadem at the consecration of the bull Apis in Memphis, an act quite in accord with the usual ceremonial of that ancient religion, but unfavourably interpreted by some.

Suetonius, life of Titus (5,3)

What does this quote mean? I don't think Titus really wanted to be king over the east. However, the source shows that Titus was at least interested in the Apis bull. This Egyptian deity, worshiped for centuries, was the Egyptian god of the Kings and fertility. We do not know how much influence Titus had on his own coins, but if we look at the freedom of Domitian's reverses, Titus must have had something to say. However, the type also appeared for Vespasian. I think it mainly wants to emphasize the royal status of Vespasian and Titus. Moreover, it also copies a Denarius of Augustus, so ideal Flavian propaganda. So the coin shows the Apis bull, I think, but it does not refer to a specific statue.

Please, show your favorite Titus coins.

Do not let it go when you have a different theory or replenishment for the significance of the reverse.

 

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My favorites are the Eastern mint denarius ("o" mintmark) with bull


and the Rome mint sow with two little pigs.

 

Nice, here's mine for Vespasian



IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Laureate head right.

COS VII
Bull standing right.

Rome, 76 AD.

3.21g

RIC II 841 (C)

Scarce

 

That's a nice Titus bull!

And you are correct in pointing out the type copies one struck under Augustus. The specific meaning wasn't important, the connection to Augustus was!

 

Coingrats on the fantastic Titus! Worthy coin to get at first auction.
I took sometime as well to utilize auction houses. However, the experience provided by the good auction houses being so much more consistent, having much more pride in their quality and most important reliable than anything else out there right now.


I've always been a Tit-us-man. What would've been? And, how much can go wrong in a two year reign?? Vesuvius anyone???
Here's my favs so far from early career:

 

Both are nice coins. But that 'O' mint Denarius is in one word impressive. Is there more information about which mint this was?

 

That's a nice one @Jay GT4!

 

Thank you for your response David. I find the relationship between Augustus coins and that of the Flavians very interesting. Do you know publications on this subject?

 

Beautiful ‘Titus and the bull’ coin.
This is my ‘Titus and the oxen’ coin



Titus, denarius.
RIC 951, RSC 67.
Rome Mint, 77-78 AD.
18 mm 2.84 gr.
Obv. T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head right.
Rev. COS VI in exergue; Yoke of oxen walking left.

 

Thank you for your response @Ryro. Nice Titus coins. I don't know if I will use auctions frequently, but you are right that most quality and rare coins are offered at auction houses. I am only so annoyed by the 20% buyer fee at most auctions

 

Nice coin @Marsman!
Is it true that you are the owner of Romeinsemunt.nl? I saw some of your coins there too.

 

I love the Titus @Parthicus Maximus . I have not added one of these to my Flavian collection...yet. The portrait is quite nice. Congrats on adding this one to your collection.

 

Thank you for your response Andrew. I also love the portrait, which is somehow less worn out than the rest of the coin. The coin arrived this afternoon and is nicer in hand than the photo shows. Whenever I have the time I will take a better photo, but the coming days I will not be home during the day.

Where it is about the lack of this type in your Flavian collection. I will pay attention if I see one for sale. If you are looking for more specific types, let me know. I would like to help you.

 

Yep that’s my blog. Nice that you have noticed this.

 

'Vespasian as Moneyer' by T. V. Buttrey. It even has a neat chart showing which types were recycled.

 

One of my favorites is this As of Titus commemorating his victory in the Jewish war. I fell for the Tiber patina.
Also presented, a Dupondius / FELICITAS with emerald green patina , denarius with reverse wreath on curule chairs , and an aureus / Roma reverse. And denarius with caduceus.

 

Thanks for the offer. I would like to add one of these. If you do see one I would appreciate a heads up.

Here are a few of my favourite coins of Titus.
RIC 89

RIC 103

RIC 554 [VESP]

RIC 784 [VESP]

RIC 1


RIC 950 [VESP]


RIC 695 [VESP]

 

All are great coins @octavius! My favorites are your great Roma Aureus and that Caduceus Denarius for the lovely toning.

 

Those are very nice coins. Your Ric 554 is my favorite. the portrait is beautiful. Titus also looks like a combination of himself and his father on that coin. I also love your British victory denarius, it's a type I'd also like to add to my collection.

And let the bull hunt begin

 

Very nice example, @Parthicus Maximus. Here's the Augustan type.

AUGUSTUS
AR Denarius. 3.23g, 20.1 x 17.2mm. Pergamum or Samos mint, circa 21-20 BC. RIC I 475; RSC 28. O: CAESAR, bare head right. R: AVGVSTVS, bull standing right.