Sale: CNG 82, Lot: 999. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2009.  Sold For $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Titus. AD 79-81. AR Denarius (3.50 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 80. Laureate head right / Elephant, wearing armor, walking left on exergual line. RIC II 115; RSC 303. EF, attractively toned.

The elephant on this particular issue represents one of the numerous species displayed in the newly constructed Flavian Amphitheater, or Colosseum, built by prisoners of the First Jewish War on the site of the Domus Aurea of Nero. Opened to the public during Titus’ rule, in AD 80, and commemorated by Martial in de Spectaculis, the Colosseum was welcomed with great fanfare and games. During the opening ceremonies a great number of animals, including elephants, were both exhibited and slaughtered.