Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Titus augustus, 79 – 81. The Atonement Series

Aureus 1st January-30th June 80, AR 7.29 g. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Laureate head l. Rev. TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Thunderbolt set on draped seat. C 315. BMC 55. RIC 118. CBN 42. Calicó 753.
Very rare. An magnificent portrait struck in high relief, an almost invisible mark
at two o'clock on obverse, otherwise extremely fine / good extremely fine

Ex NAC sale 54, 2010, 376.

A great coin from the "atonement series" which is attainable in silver but so tough in gold. MSG.
During the brief reign of Titus two major events occurred. The first was the eruption of Mount Vesuvius which destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as several other smaller outlying villages and farms. The second event was the grand opening of the Flavian Amphitheatre – what we know today as the Roman Coliseum. The first even caused widespread fear and heavy loss of property and life. The Romans knew little about the power and destructive forces of volcanoes and the eruption was seen by many as an omen from the pagan gods.
In contrast, the opening of the Amphitheatre was cause for great celebration. The Roman people were treated to 100 days of continual games, battles, and entertainment. A structure like it had never before been seen and the construction was truly a wonder of the day.
There are two schools of thought on the coins commonly known as the "atonement series" which were issued jointly by Titus, as Augustus, and Domitian, as Caesar. The first theory is the representations of the Roman gods on the coins were actual tables/statues placed in and around the coliseum as a means to thank the gods for helping Rome achieve erection of the wonderful structure - and by inference - that the Roman gods were the correct ones to be worshiping in contrast to the defeated Jews who worshiped only one god.
The second theory is that these tables/statues were placed throughout Rome, and possibly the provinces, as a means to appease the angry gods that caused the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. I have always believed this second scenario made more sense. It was natural for the emperor to take credit wherever he could and thanking the gods for helping build the coliseum seems unlikely. But natural forces that the emperor could not control surely must have been dealt by the hands of the gods.
Whatever the case, this series of coins is quite collectible and most issues can be found in EF condition. Though I have split my collection of these pieces between the two sales I will add comment at the end of each lot as to which god is being identified by the reverse type. I like this series because it is generally available for modest prices compared to other means of collecting the twelve Caesars in high grade. See Titus lots 172 – 175 and Domitian lots 183 and 184. MSG.