Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]
AR Quinarius, 1.37g
Rome mint, 75(?) AD
Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIAN; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory adv. r., with wreath and palm
RIC 807 (C). BMC 313. RSC 373. BNC 275.
Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachf., October 2020.
Vespasian revived the quinarius after a long hiatus going back to the time of Augustus. Striking this denomination was quite in keeping with the antiquarian flavour of the Rome mint during the reign. His moneyer’s struck a great issue of undated quinarii in 75, possibly in conjunction with the opening of his Temple of Peace. These tiny silver coins may have been distributed during special occasions as commemorative pieces. Two standard Victory types (seated or advancing) were employed along with various variant legend spellings and orientations. The variations are: obverse legend – VESPASIANVS or more commonly for Titus Caesar VESPASIAN; reverse legend – AVGVSTI or less commonly AVGVST. The reverse legend can also either be oriented from low r. or high l. Pinning down this undated issue is a little tricky. The quinarii struck before 75 have AVGVSTI in the reverse legend, while those struck after 75 use the shorter AVGVST. The undated issue employs both forms, therefore it fits neatly to 75. This Titus Caesar quinarius is one of the more common variants struck in his name during the issue.
It’s difficult to find Flavian quinarii with good eye-appeal. Many are fairly worn and beat-up or have striking and conditional issues. I was fortunate enough to obtain this most charming Titus Caesar quinarius in excellent style with superb eye-appeal.
Flavian Fanatic 