Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 131 30 May 2022
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Domitia, wife of Domitian
Aureus 82–83, AV 7.56 g. DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT[I]ANI Draped bust r., hair massed in front and in long plait behind. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGVSTA Peacock standing r. C –. BMC Domitian 60 note var. (AVGVST on reverse). RIC Domitian 679 var. (AVGVST on reverse). CBN –. Calicó 945 var. (AVGVST on reverse).
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for this difficult issue. A magnificent portrait
of excellent style struck in high relief on a very broad flan. Minor mark on obverse,
otherwise good extremely fine / extremely fine
Ex NAC 5, 1992, 460 and Nomisma 47, 2013, 162 sales.
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 a 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.
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Aureus 82–83, AV 7.56 g. DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT[I]ANI Draped bust r., hair massed in front and in long plait behind. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGVSTA Peacock standing r. C –. BMC Domitian 60 note var. (AVGVST on reverse). RIC Domitian 679 var. (AVGVST on reverse). CBN –. Calicó 945 var. (AVGVST on reverse).
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for this difficult issue. A magnificent portrait
of excellent style struck in high relief on a very broad flan. Minor mark on obverse,
otherwise good extremely fine / extremely fine
Ex NAC 5, 1992, 460 and Nomisma 47, 2013, 162 sales.
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 a 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.
View a video of this lot