Gemini, LLC
Auction 11 12 January 2014
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Divus Titus. 79-81 AD. Sestertius, 23.12g (6h). Rome, 81 AD. Obv: Colosseum seen from front and above between obelisk on base (Meta Sudans) and porticoed building of two stories (Baths of Titus), without legend. Rx: DIVO AVG T DIVI VESP [F VESPASIAN] around, S C in exergue, Titus, togate, seated left holding branch and roll on curule chair set on globe among arms. RIC 131 (R2). BMC p. 262, 191 note, pl. 70.1 (Paris, same dies). Paris 543, pl. CXVIII (same obv. die). Cohen 399 (80 Fr.). Hendin 1599. N.T. Elkins, The Flavian Colosseum Sestertii, Numismatic Chronicle 166, 2006, p. 219, 9, pl. 32 (our dies). Extensive light pitting, brown patination. About Fine/VG
Ex Dutch Royal Collection, deaccessioned in J. Schulman 254, November 1971, part of lot 3409. This specimen listed in Elkin's Appendix to his die catalogue of Colosseum sestertii, Numismatic Chronicle 169, 2009, p. 203, 9h
To prove the popular nature of Vepasian's rule, the Colosseum was built on the site that had recently been occupied by Nero's Golden Palace. The reverse type of Titus seated as master of the world (his curule chair set on globe), bringing peace (olive branch) by means of victory over enemies (captured arms), fits well with the recently discovered dedicatory inscription of the Colosseum, stating that the emperors constructed it "from the proceeds of booty" (ex manubis), doubtless chiefly the booty of the Jewish War. This Colosseum type was struck mainly for the living Titus, but after Titus' death Domitian continued it for Divus Titus, taking over one of the Colosseum obverse dies of Titus and cutting two new reverse dies with Titus' titles as Divus. Our coin belongs to this rarer second issue for Divus Titus rather than Titus alive
Ex Dutch Royal Collection, deaccessioned in J. Schulman 254, November 1971, part of lot 3409. This specimen listed in Elkin's Appendix to his die catalogue of Colosseum sestertii, Numismatic Chronicle 169, 2009, p. 203, 9h
To prove the popular nature of Vepasian's rule, the Colosseum was built on the site that had recently been occupied by Nero's Golden Palace. The reverse type of Titus seated as master of the world (his curule chair set on globe), bringing peace (olive branch) by means of victory over enemies (captured arms), fits well with the recently discovered dedicatory inscription of the Colosseum, stating that the emperors constructed it "from the proceeds of booty" (ex manubis), doubtless chiefly the booty of the Jewish War. This Colosseum type was struck mainly for the living Titus, but after Titus' death Domitian continued it for Divus Titus, taking over one of the Colosseum obverse dies of Titus and cutting two new reverse dies with Titus' titles as Divus. Our coin belongs to this rarer second issue for Divus Titus rather than Titus alive