This denarius of Titus, struck 80 AD, exhibits 'honest wear', about VF grade and difficult to determine if once a light beard graced the chin on the portrait or a cuirass draped the elephant on the reverse-----probably not. My understanding is that this coin was meant to commemorate the opening of the 100 days of games at the (Flavian) Amphitheater which was also referred to as the 'Hunting Theater' and centuries later as the 'Colosseum' that we all know today. Most 'authorities' including the authors of a small book titled "Colosseum", co-authored by Mary Beard and Keith Hopkins, argue that the games were spread over a much longer time ---perhaps a year---and not held consecutively day after day. Moreover they feel the number of animals slain during these games are grossly exaggerated by ancient authors and were 'only' a fraction of the 5-9,000 reported as slain---still a staggering figure. It seems that animals were 'matched' against other species, among themselves and against human adversaries usually referred to as 'bestiarius'. Elephants seem to have 'enjoyed' the same protocols, typically matched against bulls, other elephants or human hunters. Further, although possibly an exaggeration, it is estimated that the combination of 100 days of games resulted in the deaths of about 2,000 gladiators and 'criminals'. On the other hand, the human toll, cumulatively EMPIRE-WIDE, (excluding 'criminal' executions) or death solely by gladiatorial combat, is 'conservatively' estimated to be about 2,000 combined in all individual games held CONCURRENTLY throughout the ENTIRE Roman world. But this is presuming only two shows per venue per year. Most authorities feel that an average gladiator fought three or four times a year and had a life-expectancy of between 1 to 3 years. Whether these bouts were fought with 'deadly weapons' or periodically of wooden varieties in a non-lethal exhibition is still disputed. Regardless, even if a gladiator survived the bout, any injury or 'flesh wound' could still prove to be fatal. This degree of animal and human slaughter had to be absolutely mind-numbing to the ancients as it is to us today yet thousands flocked to each and every show throughout the Empire. While the reality of the 'Arena' does diminish the romantic allure of the 'Colosseum' to a significant degree, this coin has such a cool reverse that I couldn't resist adding this silver coin of Titus, despite what it actually seems to represent. Rome meant to visibly demonstrate that it was not only the conqueror of nations but of nature as well---- literally masters of the natural world as they knew it. AR Denarius of Titus, struck at Rome 80 AD 3.21 grams, 18 mm Laureate bust right IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM Elephant advancing right TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P RIC 115
That's a very nice example Mikey. Even with the wear, it is much better than my 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
Great coin, I still want that type eventually. Titus (79 - 81 A.D.) AR Denarius O: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M•, laureate head right. R: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, facing empty throne of a deity (pulvinar) with a triangular back, back ornamented with uncertain objects and a cross at the peak, seat draped with a fringed cover. Rome Mint, 80 A.D. 3.34g 17.8mm RIC II, part 1, 124; RSC II 313a; BMCRE II 61; BnF III 50; SRCV I 2515
Mikey-Z => man, that's a gorgeous OP-elephant (congrats) I only have two Titus examples ... one AR and one AE
My Titus. Titus. AR Denarius as Caesar, AD 69-79. Rome, under Vespasian, Struck AD 77/8. (19.04 mm, 3.25 g), Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Titus right. Rev: COS VI, prow of galley right, sides ornameted with intricate cross-hatch and maeander patterns; above, star with sixteen rays. RIC 950 (R); BN 202; BMC 226; RSC 68. Ex: Incitatus Coins
The feature that I find interesting about this coin is how well preserved the obverse portrait is, despite the evident wear of the high points of the devices (from circulation). Titus' distinctive profile -- nose and chin -- still stands out and makes this coin easily recognizable as a Titus. It's well centered as well, albeit a little less so on the reverse.
Hey Mikey! Gorgeous denarius! And a GREAT reverse with the Elephant... I have a Titus and PACHYDERM! With a LOT of honest wear! RI Titus 79-81 CE AR Denarius Sow and piglets (Little Pachyderms!)
that's an awesome elephant titus coin MZ! i still don't have a coin of titus to show off. pretty amazing what went on in the amphitheater. makes me wonder what we are doing today for fun that people will be shocked/revolted by in 2000 years.
I agree 1000% with Bing. Mikey's coin is much much better than Bing's BUT, technically speaking, Bing's is higher grade and 'honestly' VF while Mikey's coin has way too much wear to be called VF. IMHO a VF needs to have a laurel wreath outline at least. This is a great example of how hard it is to grade ancients. If I were going to apply the new style slab friendly grading to Mikey's coin I would consider F+ 5/5 4/5 appropriate while Bing's is pretty much free of wear so at least VF (it has some claim on higher because of fine details in the laurel leaves). Is it an EF 4/5 2/5 with note on the edge problems? The odd part is I would easily pay twice (4x?) as much for Mikey's coin as for Bing's. I hate roughness - can you tell. Mine is more honest and more worn than Mikey's so it is perhaps VG 3/5 3/5. I'm really not comfortable playing guess what they would grade any coin but this is the reason that people should not pay by the numbers. Buy the coin, not the grade. Mikey got a winner!
Wonderful posts and interesting comments everyone. Thanks to all!! Oops!! a little typo on the OP ...describing the elephant as advancing in the wrong direction. So that's what the drill instructor meant when he kept screaming...."The OTHER LEFT"!!! Of course, I left out a few expletives LOL
Over a decade ago one of my first Titus denarius types was this elephant reverse. Today, it is still one of my favourites and yours is a great example in excellent style Mikey. Congrats!
