Watch List notes:

Titus. Sestertius; Titus; 79-81 AD, Rome, c. 80-81 AD, Sestertius, 27.99g. BM-190 pl. 50.2 (same rev. die), Paris-189 pl. LXXXI (same dies), RIC-184 (R2), Cohen-400 (80 Fr.). 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: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII S - C Titus seated l. holding branch and roll on curule chair set on globe among arms. Ex Gemini XIII, 6 April 2017, lot 162. From a British collection, acquired in 1978 by Paul Munro Walker, Bournmouth. See N.T. Elkins, The Flavian Colosseum Sestertii, Numismatic Chronicle 166, 2006, p. 216, 6, pl. 31 (our dies). To demonstrate the popular nature of Vepasian\'s rule, the Colosseum was built on the site of Nero\'s demolished 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 booty" (ex manubis), doubtless chiefly the booty of the Jewish War.This is an excellent Colosseum sestertius that we handled originally a number of years ago. It is in delightful condition; even though it has some obvious wear, especially on the reverse, it has no corrosion, pitting or tooling whatsoever. You can clearly see images of the Romans inside the Colosseum, the construction of which, according to a recently discovered dedicatory inscription, was paid for with treasure taken from the Jewish temple when they were defeated in the first revolt. This is the most desirable bronze in the entire Roman series. A prize for any collection. VF