Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 460 29 Jan 2020
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Titus. AD 79-81. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 26.51 g, 6h). Rome mint. Group 2, AD 80-81. Laureate head left / PAX AVGVSTI, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and cornucopia. RIC II.1 158. Hard dark green patina, some weakness in legend. Good VF.
From the Summer Haven Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 159 (8 Oct 2007), lot 401 (hammer €1400).
When Vespasian died in AD 79 and Titus was proclaimed emperor, many feared he would be another Nero or Caligula. But he soon emerged as an uncommonly benevolent and conscientous ruler. He took stern measures against informers, sought the advice of the Senate, and spent lavishly on public works and entertainment. When the eruption of Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii and Herculaenium, and a major fire swept Rome months later, his generous relief measures won wide admiration. The historian Tacitus went so far as to call Titus the "darling of the human race." However, his reign was destined to be brief. Titus was observed to weep at the games opening the Colosseum in mid-AD 81 and took seriously ill shortly thereafter. He seems to have sensed his doom and lamented that he was going to a premature grave with only one serious regret, the nature of which has been the subject of speculation ever since. He died on September 1 at the age of 40, in the same house where his father had succumbed two years before.
From the Summer Haven Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 159 (8 Oct 2007), lot 401 (hammer €1400).
When Vespasian died in AD 79 and Titus was proclaimed emperor, many feared he would be another Nero or Caligula. But he soon emerged as an uncommonly benevolent and conscientous ruler. He took stern measures against informers, sought the advice of the Senate, and spent lavishly on public works and entertainment. When the eruption of Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii and Herculaenium, and a major fire swept Rome months later, his generous relief measures won wide admiration. The historian Tacitus went so far as to call Titus the "darling of the human race." However, his reign was destined to be brief. Titus was observed to weep at the games opening the Colosseum in mid-AD 81 and took seriously ill shortly thereafter. He seems to have sensed his doom and lamented that he was going to a premature grave with only one serious regret, the nature of which has been the subject of speculation ever since. He died on September 1 at the age of 40, in the same house where his father had succumbed two years before.