Lot 2180

Description

Titus, (A.D. 79-81), issue struck at Rome as Caesar in A.D.74, AE As, (10.298 grams), obv. T CAESAR IMP COS III CENS, head laureate to left, rev. S C, Spes advancing to left, holding flower and skirt, (cf.S.2550, cf.RIC 669 [obv. head to r.], see BMC note p.163 as published R.It., 1892, p.16). Attractive dark green patina, very fine, extremely rare.

Ex. Lanz Graz Auction X, December 3, 1977 (lot 392) illustrated and described as RRRR and Noble Numismatics Sale 52 (lot 2267) The ancients worshipped Spes (hope) as a divinity, she had her temples and altars but nothing is known what was sacrificed to her. Her personification on coins usually at the beginning of a reign, suggest either favourable anticipations which the people expected of him or the expectations which he wished to raise respecting himself.