It's been a very good week at Flavian Headquarters. Coins and books are arriving in the mail at a steady pace. And Fedex delivered this awesome 'grail' coin a few days ago. I've been on cloud nine ever since. Domitian AR Didrachm, 6.38g Rome mint (for Cappadocia), 93-94 AD RPC 1666 (18 spec.). Obv: AYT KAI ΔOMITIANOC CЄBACTOC ΓЄPM; Head of Domitian, laureate, r. Rev : No legend; emperor in quadriga, r., holding laurel branch in r. hand, sceptre in l. hand Ex Lanz, eBay, November 2017. This is a fairly rare Cappadocian didrachm of Domitian struck late in the reign. The pronounced 'Roman' style and six o'clock die axis are clear evidence it was produced in Rome for circulation in the province. Remarkably, this reverse is the only instance of Domitian in a quadriga that was struck in silver for either the imperial or provincial issues. Naturally, one may ask for what reason is Domitian triumphing here? In May 92 Domitian left Rome for a military campaign along the Danube against the Sarmatians known as the Second Pannonian war. The conflict lasted eight months and Domitian was back in Rome by January 93. He was awarded an ovation but not a full triumph, so it is unclear what triumph this reverse refers to. Struck in fine late Domitianic style. Post your quadrigas or Domitians!
@David Atherton , I really like the Didrachm denomination. Just a great "feel" to them. Well done on the Quadriga... a powerful message the Imperator is giving...almost a Triumphal message... Yeah, we really know that Domitian guy vs. his Daddy and Bro...
And to illustrate that point, here is a contemporary denarius from Rome. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.37g Rome mint, 93-94 AD RIC 761 (C3). BMC 214. RSC 283b. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1) Probably engraved by the same hand.
