Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 89 5 Nov 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Domitian Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 85. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P, laureate head to right, wearing aegis / Emperor standing to left and holding spear, with German captive kneeling to right before him and presenting shield; S-C across fields, broken spear in exergue. RIC II.1 357; BMCRE 337; BN 358. 25.94g, 33mm, 6h.
Very Fine. An interesting historical type, and relatively well preserved for the issue.
From the collection of Z.P., Austria.
Having lived his whole life in the shadow of his father and brother's military victories, and having had none himself, upon being proclaimed emperor Domitian soon found an opportunity to win glory. Leaving Rome for Gaul in late AD 82-early 83, ostensibly to conduct a census, he unexpectedly launched a campaign against the Chatti in Germania, who had been part of Arminius' coalition of tribes that had annihilated Varus' column in the Teutoberg Forest. For this purpose, Domitian raised a new legion, Legio I Minervia. Little information survives of the campaign, though apparently enough early victories were achieved for Domitian to return to Rome in late 83, where he awarded himself a triumph, conferred upon himself the title of Germanicus and struck a series of commemorative coinage depicting his subjugation of the Chatti. Domitian's campaign was viewed most unfavourably by ancient writers, who noted that it was an unprovoked attack and mocked his supposed accomplishments.
Very Fine. An interesting historical type, and relatively well preserved for the issue.
From the collection of Z.P., Austria.
Having lived his whole life in the shadow of his father and brother's military victories, and having had none himself, upon being proclaimed emperor Domitian soon found an opportunity to win glory. Leaving Rome for Gaul in late AD 82-early 83, ostensibly to conduct a census, he unexpectedly launched a campaign against the Chatti in Germania, who had been part of Arminius' coalition of tribes that had annihilated Varus' column in the Teutoberg Forest. For this purpose, Domitian raised a new legion, Legio I Minervia. Little information survives of the campaign, though apparently enough early victories were achieved for Domitian to return to Rome in late 83, where he awarded himself a triumph, conferred upon himself the title of Germanicus and struck a series of commemorative coinage depicting his subjugation of the Chatti. Domitian's campaign was viewed most unfavourably by ancient writers, who noted that it was an unprovoked attack and mocked his supposed accomplishments.