Ancient Rome - 79-81 CE Titus AR Denarius NGC Choice AU

Left is bust of Titus from the Capitoline Museum, Rome. On right is the Arch of Titus, on the Via Sacra, to the south east of the Roman Forum in Rome. 

The elephant on this specific issue corresponds to one of the abundant species displayed in the then newly built Flavian Amphitheater, known today as the Roman Colosseum. It was constructed 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 his book On the Spectacles, which described that 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.