The New York Sale
Auction 40 11 January 2017
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ANCIENT COINS, ROMAN EMPIRE, Domitian. Silver Denarius (3.45 g), as Caesar, AD 69-81. Rome, under Titus, AD 80. CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII, laureate head of Domitian right. Rev. PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS, lighted altar hung with garlands. (RIC 50; BN 76-7; BMC 92-6; RSC 397a). An excellent example. Lustrous. Superb. Extremely fine.
This coin, struck in the name of Domitian during the reign of his elder brother Titus as emperor, although meant to show his designation as successor in one significant respect highlights his relative political insignificance. While Titus and Vespasian enjoyed military glory and the adoration of the Roman public thanks to their roles in successfully ending the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors (AD 68/9) and their victorious suppression of the bloody Jewish Revolt (AD 66-73), Domitian was essentially a Flavian nobody who could not directly claim much of a share in these great triumphs. Thus, his titlature on this coin is largely ceremonial rather than imbued with power. Here he is Caesar and Princeps Iuventitis ("Prince of the Youth"), which designates him as the intended successor to Titus but does not give him any imperium (the power to command).
Estimate: $ 750
This coin, struck in the name of Domitian during the reign of his elder brother Titus as emperor, although meant to show his designation as successor in one significant respect highlights his relative political insignificance. While Titus and Vespasian enjoyed military glory and the adoration of the Roman public thanks to their roles in successfully ending the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors (AD 68/9) and their victorious suppression of the bloody Jewish Revolt (AD 66-73), Domitian was essentially a Flavian nobody who could not directly claim much of a share in these great triumphs. Thus, his titlature on this coin is largely ceremonial rather than imbued with power. Here he is Caesar and Princeps Iuventitis ("Prince of the Youth"), which designates him as the intended successor to Titus but does not give him any imperium (the power to command).
Estimate: $ 750