coin

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Object Type
Museum number: 1844,0425.712
Denomination: sestertius
Description: Copper alloy coin. (whole); Flavian amphitheatre (the Colosseum); to left, Meta Sudans; to right, porticoed building. (obverse); Titus seated left on curule chair holding branch in right hand and roll in left hand; around, arms. (reverse)
State
Authority
Cultures/periods
Production date: 80-81
Production place: Minted in: Rome (city)
Materials
Dimensions: Die-axis: 6 o'clock; Weight: 23.23 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: The ancient name of the Colosseum was the Flavian Amphitheatre, after the Flavian dynasty founded by the emperor Vespasian (AD 69-79). It was planned during his reign, but dedicated and opened by his son, Titus, in AD 80, the year when this coin was made. The reverse, showing Titus surrounded by arms, may be a reference to the fact that the construction of the Colosseum was financed by the victories in Judaea.
Bibliographic references: RE2 / Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol.II: Vespasian to Domitian (190, p.262); PCR / Principal coins of the Romans: Volume I: The Republic c. 290 - 31 BC; Volume II: The Principate 31 BC - AD 296; Volume III: The Dominate AD 294 - 498. (504); RIC2.1 / The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol.2 part 1: From AD 69 to AD 96: Vespasian to Domitian (184, p.210)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: emperor/empress; roman amphitheatre/arena; fountain; arms/armour
Associated names
Associated places: Topographic representation of: Colosseum; Topographic representation of: Meta Sudans
Acquisition name: Purchased from: William George Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire; Purchased through: Christie's; Purchased through: Harry Osborn Cureton
Acquisition date: 1844
Department: Coins and Medals
Registration number: 1844,0425.712
C&M catalogue number: RE2 (262) (190)

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