Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction X 27 September 2015
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Titus, as Caesar, AV Aureus. Rome, AD 77-78. T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate bust right / Roma, helmeted, seated right on two shields, left foot on helmet, holding spear before her; wolf standing right at her feet, head turned back, suckling Romulus and Remus, in left and right fields, two eagles flying towards her; COS VI in exergue. RIC 954; BMC 223; Calicó 738a. 7.36g, 19mm, 10h.
Extremely Fine.
The Flavians came to power after a year of civil war, vicious intrigue and three short lived reigns which all ended in bloodshed. Vespasian and his son Titus thus sought to restore security and confidence by establishing a clear and peaceful succession through a strong father and son line, both of whom had proven themselves capable generals and administrators. As part of their efforts to promote a sense of stability after the turmoil of the Year of the Four Emperor, Titus, along with his father Vespasian and brother Domitian, struck a series of coinage which recalled the types of the Republican and Augustan periods, evoking the memory of the golden age inaugurated by Augustus in the early years of empire. The implicit message was that the Flavian line was taking up the mantle dropped by the now defunct Julio-Claudian dynasty, and shouldering with renewed purpose the burden of governance that the latter had so often abused.
This iconic reverse design portrays the Roman foundation myth in a novel manner, showing the goddess Roma watching over the twins Romulus and Remus as they are suckled by the she-wolf, patiently awaiting the day that Rome will be built.
Extremely Fine.
The Flavians came to power after a year of civil war, vicious intrigue and three short lived reigns which all ended in bloodshed. Vespasian and his son Titus thus sought to restore security and confidence by establishing a clear and peaceful succession through a strong father and son line, both of whom had proven themselves capable generals and administrators. As part of their efforts to promote a sense of stability after the turmoil of the Year of the Four Emperor, Titus, along with his father Vespasian and brother Domitian, struck a series of coinage which recalled the types of the Republican and Augustan periods, evoking the memory of the golden age inaugurated by Augustus in the early years of empire. The implicit message was that the Flavian line was taking up the mantle dropped by the now defunct Julio-Claudian dynasty, and shouldering with renewed purpose the burden of governance that the latter had so often abused.
This iconic reverse design portrays the Roman foundation myth in a novel manner, showing the goddess Roma watching over the twins Romulus and Remus as they are suckled by the she-wolf, patiently awaiting the day that Rome will be built.