Titus. AD 79-81. Æ Sestertius (33.5mm, 24.96 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 80. Near Fine/Fair.

Keystone 17 – The W. Toliver Besson Collection
Lot: 226. Estimated: $ 4 000

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 11 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Titus. AD 79-81. Æ Sestertius (33.5mm, 24.96 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 80. View of the Flavian Amphitheater (The Colosseum) from the southeast, seen from aerial perspective and containing imperial box; Meta Sudans to left, porticus of the Baths of Titus to right / Titus seated left on curule chair, left arm across lap, holding branch in outstretched right hand; around, helmets, shields and cuirass. RIC II.1 184; Elkins Type C, 6 (A4/P6); BMCRE 190 (same dies); Elkins, Monuments Figure 96 (same dies as illustration). Tan-brown patina. Near Fine/Fair. Very rare and of great historical interest.

From the W. Toliver Besson Collection. Ex Property of Princeton Economics acquired by Martin Armstrong (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 271, 11 January 2012), lot 79 (hammer $5000).

This sestertius offers a bird's eye view of the most famous landmark of ancient Rome. Construction on the Colosseum began in AD 71 during the reign of Vespasian, and dedication ceremonies were held in 75 after the completion of the first three stories. In 80, the remaining two stories were completed, and new dedication ceremonies were conducted in June, celebrated on this sestertius of Titus. Elkins, in his recent article on these pieces, argues that they were commemorative pieces distributed by Imperial munificence at games held in the Colosseum.

Closing Date and Time: 22 July 2026 at 11:15:00 ET.



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