Bronze as of Titus (AD 79–81) struck at the mint of Rome in AD 80–81, belonging to issues produced during the short period of his independent reign as emperor of the Flavian dynasty.
The obverse displays the laureate head of the emperor facing right with the legend IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII. This inscription sets out the official titulature of Titus, identifying him as imperator and Augustus while also emphasizing his dynastic origin through the reference to his father, Vespasian (Vespasianus). The mention of his eighth consulship (COS VIII) provides an important chronological marker allowing the issue to be dated to the final years of his life, when Titus held the highest magistracies of the Roman state.
The reverse shows Victory advancing right on the prow of a ship, accompanied by the legend VICTORIA AVGVSTI, with the letters SC (Senatus Consulto) placed in the fields, indicating the formal authorization of bronze coinage by the Senate. The motif of Victory standing on a ship’s prow is known from earlier Roman coinage and is commonly associated with military success and naval supremacy. Within the Flavian context, the type is often connected with the victories of the Jewish War, in which Titus played a decisive role as commander of the Roman forces during the siege of Jerusalem in AD 70, events well documented in the writings of Josephus.
Plugged.
Roman Imperial
Titus (79-81), As 80-81, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate head right
IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII
Reverse: Aquila between two standards, S-C across the fields
VICTORIA AVGVST
Diameter 27 mm, weight 8.61 g
