Titus as Caesar AR Denarius 77-78 CE

TITUS, as Caesar AD 69-79 AR Denarius.

Rome mint, AD 77-78

(19.1 mm 3.07g)

RIC 949; BMC 222, RSC 66

Obv: laureate head right; T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS

Rev : Mars standing left holding spear and trophy, large wheat ear behind him; COS VI

Purchased from Minotaur Coins in Singapore

As this is the first one I have seen for sale in 3 years, I do not quite believe the rating of common in RIC. It is quite possible that it is common win the major museum collections but is not common in the general market. What makes this one scarce is the upright corn ear on the reverse. This reverse without the corn ear is common. A similar reverse exists for Titus' father Vespasian. For Vespasian it exists in both corn ear and non corn ear and as both right and left facing portraits.

Though the coin is quite worn the portrait of Titus is unmistakable . I also think that it has plenty of character. If you want to know how scarce this type is just do a search online.