Nomos 21

Domitian, 81-96. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 6.97 g), Rome, 92-94. DOMITIANVS AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. GERMANICVS COS XVI Germania, in attitude of mourning with her torso bare, seated on shield to right; below, broken spear. BMC 211. BN 187. Calicó 854. Cohen 158. RIC 747. Some minor marks and slight staining on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

From a European collection.

Domitian was, in many ways, quite a good emperor, though his relationship with the aristocracy was rather poor; since Roman historians usually came from that class, our view of him is a negative one. He had been deliberately kept in the background during the reigns of his father and brother, but he was prepared for rule when Titus unexpectedly died of a fever in 81. While Domitian was quite popular with the army – he spent a good deal of time with the soldiers on various campaigns that were designed to stabilize the frontiers – true military triumphs were rare. His self-described major victory was that over the Chatti in 83, which he commemorated on coins like this. Such coins were struck beginning in 84 and continued to be issued throughout his reign.