ROMAN. Titus. A.D. 79-81. Silver Denarius (3.23g). Atonement series. Rome mint. Struck 1 January-30 June A.D. 80. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head right / TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, dolphin coiled downward around anchor. RIC II.1 112; RSC 309; BMCRE 72-5; BN 60-3. gVF. A choice example for the type. Issued early in A.D. 80 as part of Titus' so-called Atonement coinage, struck in the wake of the eruption of Vesuvius and the great fire at Rome, this denarius uses the dolphin and anchor reverse as a deliberate symbol of recovery and stability. It suggests safe passage through danger, represented by the dolphin, paired with steadfast security, represented by the anchor, a compact piece of imperial messaging aimed at reassuring a shaken populace. For the type see; Nomos Auction A21, lot 311, hammered US$2,200. (P)

Estimate: AUD 300