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Roman Empire. Domitia. Aureus 82–83, AV 7.60g.

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:40,000.00 CHF Estimated At:50,000.00 CHF
Roman Empire. Domitia. Aureus 82–83, AV 7.60g.
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The Roman Empire. Domitia, wife of Domitian. Aureus 82–83, AV 7.60g. DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT Draped bust r. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGVS–T Peacock standing r. C 1. BMC Domitian 60. RIC Domitian 150. CBN Domitian 62. Calicó 944 (this coin). Biaggi 445 (this coin). Very rare and among the finest specimens known. An outstanding portrait in the finest style of the period struck in high relief. Usual area of weakness on obverse, otherwise good extremely fine. Ex Rollin & Feuardent 20-28 April 1896, Montagu, 243 and Glendining 20 February 1951, Ryan part IV, 1717 sales. From the Biaggi collection. The chronology of Domitian and Domitia’s relationship is difficult to ascertain. Suetonius (Domitian 3) reports that Domitia’s first child, a daughter, was born during Domitian’s second consulship, and that her son was born the following year. However, an earlier, pointed remark by Suetonius casts doubt on an otherwise simple chronology: “Of the six consulships enjoyed by Domitian before becoming emperor, only one was a regular one [presumably the other five were suffect consulships], and that came his way because Titus had stood down in his favour”. Thus, historians have rightly questioned which ‘second consulship’ Suetonius meant: his second as Caesar, his first as emperor (if his one ordinary consulship as Caesar is counted), or his second as emperor? Simply put: the births likely occurred either in 73 and 74, or in 82 and 83. Considering it was usual for the wife of an emperor to be hailed Augusta near or upon the birth of child, and since Domitia’s coinage was struck early in Domitian’s reign, the later dates are preferable. Adding weight to this conclusion is the rare coinage Domitian issued for his long-deceased sister Domitilla, whom he hailed Augusta posthumously. Her portrait aurei and denarii undoubtedly belong to the early part of Domitian’s reign, and without too much abandon we might presume both women were hailed Augusta around the same time.