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Titus 79 – 8 1 AD

This coin was one of a series minted in 80 AD that referred to the propitations offered to the gods following the natural disasters of AD 79-80. The thunderbolt on this coin refers to Jupiter.

 

Obverse: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM,

Laureate head right

Reverse: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII PP, winged thunderbolt laid on draped table

Mint: Rome

Maximum Diameter: 17.5 mm

Weight: 3.3 grams

Denomination: Silver Denarius

Die Axis: 180 degrees

 

Titus Flavius Vespasianus was the hero / villain of the Judean rebellion and a very popular emperor. He presided over the empire during the cataclysmic eruption of Vesuvius, which buried half the towns of the Bay of Naples, including Pompeii. He was described as handsome, charming and generous. Titus once complained that he had lost a day because twenty-four hours passed without his bestowing a gift. He was, however, generous to a fault, which depleted the treasury. If he had ruled longer, he might have brought the empire to bankruptcy and lost his popularity. He died of illness in 81 A.D., succeeded by his brother Domitian.

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Uploaded on January 22, 2012
Taken on December 28, 2011