Description
| Roman Imperial. Vespasian for Titus Caesar (69-79). Aureus, 77-78, Rome mint. | |
| Obverse: | T CAESAR VESPASIANVS. Head of Titus wearing a laurel wreath right. |
| Reverse: | ANNONA AVG. Annona seated draped left on a throne with her feet on a stool, holding on her lap an opened sack of corn ears. |
| Dimensions: | AV, 7.35 g, 20 mm, 6h. |
| References: | RIC Vespasian 971; BMC Vespasian 316; Cohen 16; Calico 726. |
| Condition: |
A beautiful portrait struck on a large flan. Minor marks on the edge. Some reddish toning on the reverse. Good very fine. |
| Provenance: | Ex MDC Monaco 1 (2016), 80. |
| Comment: |
This aureus was minted by Vespasian for his son Titus. Titus held the title Caesar since 69, it made him the designated successor. After the year of the four emperors Vespasian established a dynastic continuity that lasted until 96. The reverse of the coin is of particular interest. Annona is the personification of the grain supply of Rome. In the years 77-78 Annona appears in the coinage as well as the goddess Ceres and agricultural motifs. Some numismatists suggests that after an epidemic in 77 there might were a crisis in corn supply. Unfortunately there are no literary sources that support this theory. |
