Denarius of Titus (as Caesar under Vespasian)
Country of Origin: Roman Empire (Rome Mint)
Year of Issue: 77-78 AD
Denomination: Denarius
Composition: Silver (approx. 80-90% fineness)
Brief Description
A silver Roman denarius featuring the laureate head of Titus facing right on the obverse and Mars holding a trophy on the reverse.
Historical Significance
Struck during the Flavian dynasty, this coin depicts Titus as the designated heir (Caesar) to his father, Vespasian. The reverse imagery of Mars Tropaeophorus (Mars the Trophy-Bearer) celebrates the military successes of the Flavian family, particularly the conclusion of the Jewish War.
Estimated Value
$60-$125 in Very Good/Fine condition, $250-$500 in Extremely Fine/Mint State
Care Instructions
Avoid all chemical cleaners. Storage in PVC-free flips or archival-quality trays is recommended. Handle by the edges only.
Mint Mark
None (Rome mint style)
Mintage & Rarity
Relatively common for the period; thousands survive.
Weight & Diameter
Approx. 3.2-3.5g and 18-20mm
Edge
Plain (irregular as hammered)
Apparent Grade
Fine to Very Fine. The portrait has good detail, but the reverse shows significant central wear and the flan is somewhat irregular with edge chips.
Obverse (Front)
Laureate head of Titus right. Legend: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS (Titus Caesar Imperator Vespasianus).
Reverse (Back)
Mars standing right, holding a spear and a trophy over shoulder. Legend: COS VI (Consul for the sixth time).
What Drives This Coin's Value
Centeredness of the strike, clarity of the legends, portrait detail, and presence of any silver crystallization or surface deposits.
Similar Coins
Often confused with denarii of his father, Vespasian, or his brother, Domitian, who used similar military reverses. Distinguishable by the 'T CAESAR' legend.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Watch for 'seams' on the edge indicating a cast counterfeit. Genuine coins were hammered, often resulting in small stress cracks. Check for weight consistency.
Notable Varieties & Errors
Minor variations in the legend spacing and the specific presentation of the trophy held by Mars.
Created At: 2026-05-04T11:56:17.688590