Denarius of Titus - Roman Coins Replica
Denarius of Titus
Emperor Vespasian had this coin struck for his son Titus.
Obverse: Head of Titus wearing a laurel wreath, with the inscription TI(tus) CAESAR IMP(erator) VESPASIANVS. Translation: Titus Vespasian (name), Caesar Imperator (titulature of the designated successor of the emperor).
Reverse: an eagle standing on a cippus (square column). The inscription reads COS V, i.e. Consul for the fifth time. The eagle could be a symbol for the transfer of power to the future ruler.
Minted in Rome in 76 AD
Material: Pewter alloy with patination.
All coin replicas were cast from originals. They are available individually or in various sets.
Surviving prices for the 1st and 2nd century
1 aureus = 25 denarii,
1 denarius = 25 sestertii,
1 sestertius = 2 dupondii,
1 Dupondius = 2 Ass.
A pig costs 75 denarii
"Pecunia non olet!" - Money does not stink
Emperor Vespasian had taken over from his predecessor Nero a state that was almost bankrupt.
Vespasian reorganised the public budgets with great success. His ingenuity in increasing state revenues was great. Among other things, he introduced a tax on public latrines. When his son Titus objected to this, he held some coins from the tax revenue under his nose and asked if this smell bothered him. Titus had to concede that the money did not stink: Pecunia non olet.
The saying has persisted to this day to justify the possession of money from dubious sources of revenue. The public toilets in Paris are still called "Vespasienne" today. In Italy, too, the public toilets are called "Vespasiani".