Nomos 7

Domitilla Junior, sister of Domitian. Died before AD 69. Denarius (Silver, 3.60 g 6), struck under Domitian, Rome, 82-83. DIVA DOMITILLA AVGVSTA Draped bust of Domitilla to right, her hair bound up in long plait at the back. Rev. FORTVNA AVGVST Fortuna standing left, holding cornucopiae and rudder. BMC 137 (Titus). BN 102 (Titus). RIC¹ 71 (Titus); RIC² 157 (Domitian). Very rare. Toned and with an interesting portrait of Domitilla, struck by her brother Domitian. Minor marks, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

There are far too many Domitillas! Domitilla Senior was the wife of Vespasian but died before he became emperor. She was, apparently, never given the title Augusta. Her daughter, also named Domitilla, also died before Vespasian became emperor, but was deified and given the posthumous title of Augusta by her younger brother Domitian. This is the Domitilla who appears on the present coin (very often ascribed to her mother). She was, however, the mother of a further Domitilla, known as Flavia Domitilla, who was the wife of Flavius Clemens and seemst o have become a Christian. She is considered a saint by the Greek Orthodox church.