Titus Sestertius - ANNONA AVG - Who was Professor Caselli?

Here is a Sestertius from my budget collecting days, worn and rusty, but still my only Titus.

As I am not really into the Flavians, this one is likely never going to be upgraded, but I like it because of it´s left facing portrait and because it shows Titus during his short stint as Augustus, a time when two of the most memorable events in Roman history took place: the opening of the Colosseum and the Catastrophe of Pompeji.



IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P PP COS VIII - Laureate head of Titus left
ANNONA AVG - Annona standing left, holding statue of Aequitas and cornucopia; in left field modius with corn ears; in right field stern of cargo ship, decorated with a goose neck
Sestertius, Rome 79-81 a.D.
33 mm / 18,91 gr
RIC 86 / 137, Cohen 15 (but without S C), BMCRE 153
ex Professor M. Caselli Collection



Please show your coins of Titus as Augustus!

And maybe someone can shed some light on the identity of Professor M. Caselli, who must have owned a large collection in the last century considering the number of coins on the market that use his name as a pedigree.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Nice big chunky bronze, I only have one of Titus as Augustus. .Titus, 79 AD, denarius Rome 3.41gm, radiate figure on rostral column, S2509, RIC 10, RSC 272,

 

I have three coins of Titus as Augustus:



Ruler: Titus (Augustus)
Coin: VF- Brass Sestertius
DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESP - Radiate Vespasian seated left holding branch and scepter.
IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII Around large S C - Legend surrounding large S C
Exergue:



Mint: Rome (80 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 24.10g / 35mm / 12h
Rarity: Rare
References:
RIC II 145
Sear 2573
Cohen 207
Provenances:
Father Wilbur B. Dexter Collection
CNG
Acquisition/Sale: fvrivs.rvfvs eBay CNG Electronic/137 #216 $0.00 11/18



Ruler: Titus (Augustus)
Coin: VF Silver Denarius
IMP TITVS CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG PM - Laureate head right
TRP IX IMP XV COS VIII PP - Elephant walking left.
Mint: Rome (January-June 80AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 2.90g / 18mm / 180
References:
RCV 2512
RIC 115, (RIC [1962] 22a
RSC 303
BMC 43
Cohen 303
Provenances:
Incitatus Coins
Acquisition/Sale: Incitatus Coins Vcoins $0.00 11/17



Ruler: Titus (Augustus)
Coin: VF- Brass Sestertius
IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII - Head of Titus, laureate, right
PAX AVGVST S C - Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopiae
Exergue:


Mint: Rome (80-81AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 22.43g / 33.64mm / 180
References:
RIC 2, Pt. 1-Titus 154
Provenances:
Marc Breitsprecher
Acquisition/Sale: Ancient Imports Internet $0.00 7/17

 

Nice one.

I don't know if you purchased it from them but here is the CGB Numismatics listing for your coin (which cites different refs) - they sold coins from Collection Professeur M. Caselli in their ROME 41 cat but I don't see that it has any bio details on Caselli, nor is your coin in it.

 

I lost out on a Titus sestertius in today's CNG eAuction (not clio'd!) because I was trying to get a bargain.

Here is one I was more successful in obtaining a few weeks ago.

Titus
Æ Sestertius, 22.74g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
RIC 155 (C). BMC 171.
Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: PAX AVGVST; S C in field; Pax stg. l., with branch and cornucopiae
Acquired from Marti Numismatics, January 2019.

Purchased mainly because of the portrait.

 

I saw that one from today. I also thought a bargain might be had but it took off in the last few hours...

 

I normally don't bargain hunt in CNG auctions, but I had purchased a fairly expensive coin earlier in the day and felt a bit thrifty.

 

Titus, aside from Nero, is my favorite emperor. Though he did not rule long, he was an interesting general beforehand. I have been trying unsuccessfully to find a biography of his. I would appreciate any suggestions. Here are some issues of Titus as emperor, plus one denarius as Caesar because I just like it.

 

I have been systematically collecting Titus's coinage for over 15 years now, so you're a man after my own heart! As far as biographies - Flavian historian Brian Jones' The Emperor Titus is the best modern treatment available, although it is quite hard to come by! Mine is an ex library copy. Also, look for Suetonius: The Flavian Emperors - Historical commentary and Translation by Brian Jones and Robert Milns.

 

Fantastic collection of Titus, congrats.

 

Thanks! I will look into that.

 

Yes, that is the one! What software did you use to find it? I didn´t even know that their older catalogues are online . Thank you for the info!!!

I bought it from CGB´s E-Shop in 2015 and now found that it is featured in their ROME 45 catalogue: http://flips.cgb.fr/cr45/#100

Their references are C.14 var. (6f.) - RIC.136 - BMC/RE.152 - BN/R.151 - RCV.2522 (2000$) - MRK.-, from the stock of Richelieu Numismatics and the collection of Professor M. Caselli.

Is that reference correct? I have neither the old nor the new edition of RIC or any specialist literature on the coinage of the Flavians.

I have found several professors named Caselli online, but none with a first name starting with M or one that is or was known as a coin collector.

 

In your original post you had the correct attribution - RIC 137 (C2), BMC 153.

NB: C2 = very common.

 

I don't know how much info is allowed to be posted for upcoming auctions, but there's another example of this RIC 155 coming up for what looks like quite a bargain starting price (and they have the wrong attribution for it). For now, I'll attach the picture of it, and if someone lets me know if I can post a link to the auction announcement I'll do so. I thought the portrait was pretty boldly struck, so you might be interested.

 

Beautiful photographs - how do you make the bronze coins look as good as they are? (Truly wonderful examples) I can’t seem to photograph bronzes despite TWO DECADES of attempts!

I have always thought that Titus represented the best of the sestertii - but then again the other emperors are all beautiful as well - tough to say anyone is best.

 

Don't feel bad. I'm probably worst of all. I have had little success in photographing my coins. The photos you see are all those of the seller.