TITUS RESTORATION/RESTITUTION OF CLAUDIUS SESTERTIUS SESTERTIUS - CLAUDIUS/TITUS RESTORATION/RESTITUTION ISSUE RIC Volume II (1962 Edition), Rome, Titus, No. 234 RIC Volume II, Part 1 (second edition), Claudius, No. 472 (Sear No. 2601) 80-81 AD, (34.5mm, 24.3gm) Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP PP Reverse depiction: Personification of Spes holding flower in right hand and raising skirt with left hand Inscription: IMP T VESP AVG REST - S C (left and right) Titus was a Military Tribune in Britain AD 60-63 Restoration/Restitution coinage Both of the above terms are employed by modern day authors to describe this coinage. I think that the REST which is inscribed on the reverse of these coins is an abbreviation of the Latin noun Restitutio = reinstatement, restoration, giving back. * One purpose for issuing restored coins was to provide substitutes for familar coin types that were being recalled due to excessive wear. * Another purpose was to honor deceased and revered Emperors (and sometimes members of their families) * They were struck from newly made dies designed to produce coins that closely resembled the originals. * They were always marked REST (together with the name of the issuing Augustus) as part of the reverse inscription. * This coinage should not be confused with Commemorative coinage (which was not marked REST) * It was issued under the auspices of (in chronological order) Titus, Domitian, Nerva and Trajan * Only Trajan issued this coinage in silver and gold. * Trajan also issued this coinage to honor Distinguished Republican families. There is some very interesting information relating to Restoration/Restitution coinage in this CNG listing. Note especially the Curtis Clay and Harold Mattingly information. Updated via Edit.
Maybe James’s aesthetics are rubbing off. But the first thing I noticed about this coin was the high quality of the inscriptional capitals. I guess that goes to show how posts on this board can influence what we value about a coin.
Thank you Gavin. Yes, in my own estimation the inscriptional lettering is of very high quality. I didn’t mention that in my original post because I suspect that my fellow collectors on this Forum are becoming jaded by my constant commentary relating to inscriptional lettering.
Keep commenting on it. Such commentary helps train the eye, and as we know, oftentimes good lessons need repeating.
Personally, I would love to see a side-by-side comparison of coins that illustrate high-quality lettering vs. mediocre (not necessarily low-quality) lettering, maybe with some specific comments on the features that differentiate the high-quality from the lesser quality.
I tremble at the prospect of me doing that IOM - I have been a practicing calligrapher - and teacher of calligraphy - for some seventy five years and am only too aware of the divergence of opinions relating to what constitutes (especially Roman Capital) high quality letter forms versus mediocre letter forms ...... but I am going to do it in a later post (I need to gather some exemplars). Of course, badly formed letters are easy to spot
It appears that REST marked coins are designated rare or very rare in most references, sales catalogs and auction listings.
I am only just beginning to unearth what is sometimes long forgotten information relating to Restoration/Restitution coinage. I am going to devote much more time to researching these fascinating and historically important coins.
Only deceased Emperors who were held in high regard were honored with Restoration/Restitution coinage. For instance, Caius (Caligula), Nero, Otho and Vitellius were not so honored.
Uncommon Restoration/Restitution coins can be very pricey. The Trajan/Julius Caesar Restoration aureus - CNG Auction coin (Triton XIX, Lot: 2187) I reference in my initial post had an Estimate of $20000 and sold for $32500 (not including buyers fee).
To all interested collectors/enthusiasts: Please post photos and information relating to any Restoration/Restitution coins you have.
Great coin! Nothing to add about restoration issues. I've always like the style of them, I just haven't gotten one for myself yet.
Thank you Randy - I am looking for more Restoration coins to add to my collection. They are hard to find.
I am trying to find a copy of the following article: Harold Mattingly, "The 'Restored' Coinage of Titus, Domitian and Nerva," Vol. 20 Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Royal Numismatic Society (1920): 177-207. I will appreciate any leads.
I wonder if the price of this coin was a result of its being an aureus with Julius Caesar on it, rather than because it was a restoration of an earlier emperor? Julius Caesar aurei are notoriously expensive (although not infrequently seen in auctions). What about other emperors' restoration coins as compared with their lifetime issues?
I suspect just being part of Trajan's REST series was enough. All of them are rare and expensive but there would be some more popular than others. As I recall the story, Trajan demonetized the early coins and issued the REST series to provide collectible sets for those who wanted them. I don't believe they were intended for circulation any more than our modern commemoratives that are issued over face value. I do not recall where I heard/read that story. Anyone?
Yes that could be. The few Restoration coins I have come across have all been evaluated at considerably higher prices than regular issues.
I seem to recall that story also - but I can’t remember where or when. I think Curtis Clay’s commentary in this CNG listing is (as usual) very good.
I have included a regular issue sestertius for comparison. TITUS RESTORATION/RESTITUTION OF CLAUDIUS SESTERTIUS RIC Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 99 41-50 AD, (36mm, 25.3gm) Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right Inscription clockwise from bottom: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP Reverse depiction: Personification of Spes holding flower in right hand and raising skirt with left hand Inscription clockwise from bottom: SPES AVGVSTA - S C (exergue) SESTERTIUS - CLAUDIUS/TITUS RESTORATION/RESTITUTION ISSUE RIC Volume II (1962 Edition), Rome, Titus, No. 234 RIC Volume II, Part 1 (second edition), Claudius, No. 472 (Sear No. 2601) 80-81 AD, (34.5mm, 24.3gm) (Photo credit: Praefectus Coins) Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP PP Reverse depiction: Personification of Spes holding flower in right hand and raising skirt with left hand Inscription: IMP T VESP AVG REST - S C (left and right) Titus was a Military Tribune in Britain AD 60-63 Restoration/Restitution coinage Both of the above terms are employed by modern day authors to describe this coinage. I think that the REST which is inscribed on the reverse of these coins is an abbreviation of the Latin noun Restitutio = reinstatement, restoration, giving back. * One purpose for issuing restored coins was to provide substitutes for familar coin types that were being recalled due to excessive wear. * Another purpose was to honor deceased and revered Emperors (and sometimes members of their families) * They were struck from newly made dies designed to produce coins that closely resembled the originals. * They were always marked REST (together with the name of the issuing Augustus) as part of the reverse inscription. * This coinage should not be confused with Commemorative coinage (which was not marked REST) * It was issued under the auspices of (in chronological order) Titus, Domitian, Nerva and Trajan * Only Trajan issued this coinage in silver and gold. * Trajan also issued this coinage to honor Distinguished Republican families. There is some very interesting information relating to Restoration/Restitution coinage in this CNG listing. Note especially the Curtis Clay and Harold Mattingly information.
