Very Rare Cistophoric Issue

CNG 88, Lot: 1298. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Titus. AD 79-81. AR Cistophorus (26mm, 10.77 g, 7h). Ephesus mint (or Rome for circulation in Asia). Struck AD 80-81. Laureate head right / Tetrastyle Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, enclosing figures of Juno, Jupiter seated, and Minerva. RIC II 515; RPC 860; RSC -. Near VF, toned. Very Rare.

From the Sierra Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group E125 (26 October 2005), lot 222.

The Capitoline Temple of Jupiter was damaged in the great fire of AD 80. Titus advertises here his beginning of its reconstruction. The construction was completed during the reign of Domitian, who continued this coin type.