Heritage World Coin Auctions
CICF Signature Sale 3040 9-10 April 2015
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Ancients
EGYPT. Alexandria. Domitius Domitianus (AD 297-298). BI tetradrachm (18mm, 6.73 gm, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 298). ΔΟΜΙΤΙ-ΑNOC CEB, laureate head of Domitianus right / Victory advancing right, holding wreath in right hand and palm frond over left shoulder, LB to right. Dattari 6183. Geissen 3368. SNG Cop. 1075. Extremely rare! Brown patina. Extremely Fine.The personal history of Domitius Domitianus and the circumstances of his attempted usurpation in Egypt remain obscure. All that is known for certain is that early in Diocletian's Tetrarchy, Egypt attempted to break away from the Empire, perhaps spurred by Roman military setbacks against Persia in AD 296. Historical records name the leader of the revolt as a certain Aurelius Achilleus, but it is uncertain whether this rebel is one in the same as Domitianus, or a supporter of his, or perhaps even a general who instigated the revolt and selected Domitianus as a figurehead ruler. In addition to billon folles on the regular imperial denominational system, Domitianus also struck coins on the old Egyptian standard, such as this exceptional tetradrachm, all of them dated "Year Two," suggesting the revolt lasted longer than a year. In any case, Diocletian undertook to crush the rebellion in mid-AD 297 and stormed Alexandria after a bitter siege. Diocletian's rage at the city was such that one chronicler claims he vowed to slaughter the inhabitants until blood reached his horse's knees. Fortunately, Diocletian's horse stumbled early in the pogrom, sparing thousands of lives. The fates of Domitianus and his alter-ego or backer Achilleus are unknown, but no doubt unpleasant.
Estimate: 1500-2000 USD
EGYPT. Alexandria. Domitius Domitianus (AD 297-298). BI tetradrachm (18mm, 6.73 gm, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 298). ΔΟΜΙΤΙ-ΑNOC CEB, laureate head of Domitianus right / Victory advancing right, holding wreath in right hand and palm frond over left shoulder, LB to right. Dattari 6183. Geissen 3368. SNG Cop. 1075. Extremely rare! Brown patina. Extremely Fine.The personal history of Domitius Domitianus and the circumstances of his attempted usurpation in Egypt remain obscure. All that is known for certain is that early in Diocletian's Tetrarchy, Egypt attempted to break away from the Empire, perhaps spurred by Roman military setbacks against Persia in AD 296. Historical records name the leader of the revolt as a certain Aurelius Achilleus, but it is uncertain whether this rebel is one in the same as Domitianus, or a supporter of his, or perhaps even a general who instigated the revolt and selected Domitianus as a figurehead ruler. In addition to billon folles on the regular imperial denominational system, Domitianus also struck coins on the old Egyptian standard, such as this exceptional tetradrachm, all of them dated "Year Two," suggesting the revolt lasted longer than a year. In any case, Diocletian undertook to crush the rebellion in mid-AD 297 and stormed Alexandria after a bitter siege. Diocletian's rage at the city was such that one chronicler claims he vowed to slaughter the inhabitants until blood reached his horse's knees. Fortunately, Diocletian's horse stumbled early in the pogrom, sparing thousands of lives. The fates of Domitianus and his alter-ego or backer Achilleus are unknown, but no doubt unpleasant.
Estimate: 1500-2000 USD