It's true! On this single date in 51 CE, 9 months after some poor woman lay with Vespasian aaand after fetus Domitian devours his twin in utero, Damnitian, he is born. Domitian 81-96 CE. Denarius, 3.44g. (h). Rome, 81 AD. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Head laureate right. Rx: TR P COS VII - DES VIII P P Wreath on curule chair, the legs of which terminate in lions' paws. RIC 48 (C ). BM 18. Paris 17. Cohen 570 (2 Fr.). Not a common coin: just five specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Good VF Domitian, as Caesar, 80 ADSilver Denarius, Rome Mint, 19mm, 3.1 gramsObverse: CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII, Laureate head of Domitian right.Reverse: PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS, Helmet on throne.RIC51. Ex: Timeline Domitian MACEDON, Koinon of Macedon. . AD 81-96. Æ (23mm, 7.55 g, 3h). Beroea mint. Laureate head right / Macedonian shield. RPC II 336; Varbanov 3024. 18 years later, to the day, in 69CE, his pop's, Vespasian defeats Vitellius at the Second Battle of Bedriacum's hot dog eating contest to earn the purple. (LOVE watching Bill Murray cheer on the young emperor to be) *My latest brand new, to me, Vespy that I've not shared until this very special thread: Vespasian MAKEDON. Koinon . ( 69 - 79 AD). Ae. Obv: Laureate head left . ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤ [ΩΡ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ] ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΣ. Rev: ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΩΝ. Makedonian Shield. RPC 333. SNG COP. 1336. Rare. Condition: Extremely Fine. Weight: 8.82 g. Diameter: 23 mm. Purchased from: Papillon And then one decade later... to the day, 79 CE, Titus eats to much Spanish chili and explodes! Killing 16,000 and then blaming it on a local mountain named Vesuvius! TITUS, 79-81 CE AR Denarius (3.29 gm) of Rome, as Caesar, 76 AD. Laureate head right / Eagle on cippus. RSC.59a. RIC.191a. RIC2.861. Pseudo-autonomous issue, 1st century AD. (Bronze, 17 mm, 4.97 g), Beroia. Macedonian shield. Rev. MΑΚΕΔΟΝΩΝ Nike standing to left on globe, holding wreath with the extended right hand and palm branch with the left. SNG Cop. 1331. SNG ANS.-. RPC -. Unusual and rare; a very interesting exampleA very interesting and scarce emission of the Macedonian Koinon MACEDON. Koinon of Macedon. Ex: Munzzentrum All these events, or something like them, happened on this day just under a couple millennia ago please post all those Flavian beauties and stories, or stories like them, that we all love to tell and hear about the Flavian fam!
An entertaining thread, @Ryro, as usual! Here are some of my Flavians. I don't have many -- I'm more of an Antonine and Severan man. Vespasian living: Vespasian, AD 69-79. Roman AR denarius, 3.18 g, 18.4 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 73. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII CEN, laureate head, right. Rev: SALVS AVG, Salus seated left, holding patera, left hand at side. Refs: RIC 58; RIC 2.1 522; BMCRE 87-89; Cohen/RSC 432; CBN 76; RCV 2307. Vespasian no longer living: Divus Vespasian, d. AD 79 Roman AR denarius, 2.89 g, 17.8 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 80. Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, head of deified Vespasian, laureate, right. Rev: Two capricorns, back-to-back, supporting shield inscribed S C; below, globe. Refs: RIC 2.1, 357; BMCRE 129-131; Cohen 497; RCV 2569; CBN 101. Titus as Caesar. Titus as Caesar, AD 69-79. Roman AR Denarius, 3.27 g, 18.5 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 76. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN, laureate head right. Rev: COS V, Eagle standing front on garlanded altar, thunderbolt in claws, wings open, head left. Refs: RIC.191a; RIC2.861; BMCRE 191; CBN 166; RSC.59a; RCV 2438. Titus as Augustus: Titus, AD 79-81. Roman AR denarius,3.31 g, 18.3 mm. Rome, AD 80 Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, Laureate head, right. Rev: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, Ornamented semi-circular diadem on draped seat or table; 3 crescent like objects above. Refs: RIC 24a; BMCRE 58; RSC 313; RCV 2514; CBN 47. Juli Titi, the daughter of Titus and the girlfriend of her uncle Domitian: Julia Titi, c. AD 79-90/91. Roman AR denarius, 3.2 gm, 20.0 mm, 7 h. Rome, AD 79-81. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA TITI AVGVSTI F, bust of Julia, draped and diademed, right, hair in long plait. Rev: VENVS AVGVST, Venus standing right, leaning on column holding helmet in right hand and transverse spear in left hand. Refs: RIC2 388; BMCRE 141-143; Cohen/RSC 14; RCV 2612. Domitian: Domitian, AD 81-96. Roman AR denarius, 3.44 g, 17.2 mm, 7 h. Rome, AD 91. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR XI (error; should read TR P XI), laureate head, right. Rev: IMP XXI COS XV CENS P P P, Minerva advancing right, brandishing a javelin and holding a shield. Refs: RIC 156; RIC² 724; BMCRE p. 336, note; Cohen 269; RCV --. And, because I'm not Jeff Bezos, I have to go provincial for this one of Domitia: Domitian, AD 81-96, and Domitia, AD 82-96. Roman provincial Æ 24 mm, 9.45 g. Cilicia, Anazarbus, city year 112 = AD 93/4. Obv: ΑΥΤΟ ΚΑΙ ΘΕ ΥΙ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΣΕ ΓΕΡ, laureate head of Domitian, right; behind, star. Rev: ΚΑΙΣΑΡΕΩΝ ΔΟΜΕΤΙΑ ⳞΕΒΑⳞΤΗ, ΙΒ-Ρ (in field), draped bust of Domitia, left. Refs: RPC II 1749; SNG France 2019-20; BMC 9; Ziegler 76 (obv 1/rev 3); SNG Levante 1374. Notes: Double die match to RPC specimen (Roma Numismatics XVIII, 29 Sept. 2019, lot 758 (ex Künker 236, 7 Oct. 2013, lot 1025)) and the SNG Levante plate coin.
Nice coins @Ryro - especially like all three Macedonians. Seutonius doesn't describe a warm relationship between Domitian and his brother - taking over from him before he was dead: "[after his father's death] he never ceased to plot against his brother secretly and openly, until Titus was seized with a dangerous illness, when Domitian ordered that he be left for dead, before he had actually drawn his last breath. And after his death he bestowed no honour upon him, save that of deification, and he often assailed his memory in ambiguous phrases, both in his speeches and in his edicts." -Seutonius, Life of Domitian 2.2 (there is something about this that doesn't ring "true" - bestowed no honor - just made him a god?) However, I hadn't heard anything about twin eating? Domitian, 81-96, AR Denarius, Rome, 93-94 Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XIII, Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev: IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P, Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt in her right hand and spear with her left; shield at her side
..another thread from Ryro productions! ...here's one i don't show often, i call it a 'one on one', i'm beginning to think even history is in the realm of general relativity.. Domitian As 81-96 AD Ob:IMP CAES AVG GERM COS XI PER PP, Laureate bust right, Rv: IOVI CONSERVAT, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt & scepter. 26mm, 7.77gms Ref. Van Meter 104
Probably repeated into the ground, but you asked for a Flavian story, so I'm going with the urine tax: Vespasian imposed a urine tax on the distribution of urine from Rome's public urinals. Urine was used in tanning, wool production, and also by launderers as a source of ammonia to clean and whiten woolen garments. The buyers of the urine paid the tax. The Roman historian Suetonius reports that when Titus complained about the disgusting nature of the tax, his father held up a gold coin and asked whether Titus felt offended by its smell. When Titus said "No," Vespasian replied, "Yet it comes from urine" (Atqui ex lotio est). I love Vespasian's sense of humor! Vespasian Dupondius, 71 AD, Rome Mint, RIC 266 Obverse: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGVSTI /SC
Amazing examples of the poor women of the flavians. Wonderful Titi. But, like everyone knows you need 2 to make a pair: And of course I would show off my Domitia from Rome... but don't want anyone feeling insecure So, I'll show my provincial:
I just posted my biggest and greatest Flavian (ie., the Jupiter Optimus Maximus Prime of them all) a few days ago, but I think this thread calls for it to be posted again. TITUS AR Cistophorus. 10.77g, 26.5mm. Rome mint (for circulation in Asia), AD 80-81. RIC II.1 515; RPC II 860. O: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; laureate head right. R: Tetrastyle Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, enclosing figures of Juno, Jupiter seated, and Minerva; in pediment, two anguiped giants holding large facing bust placed on a base, atop pediment, facing quadriga in center between facing bigas at corners; CAPIT across field, RESTIT in exergue. Ex Stein A. Evensen Collection; ex Sierra Collection (CNG 88, 14 September 2011), lot 1298; ex CNG E-Auction 125 (26 October 2005), lot 222 And some other favorite Flavians... VESPASIAN AR Denarius. 2.94g, 18.5mm. Ephesus mint, AD 69-70. RIC 316; RSC 280. O: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG, laureate head right. R: PACI AVGVSTAE, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; Φ (mintmark) below. Ex Michael Kelly Collection DOMITIAN AE18. 4.53g, 18.4mm. CILICIA, Flaviopolis, circa AD 81-96. RPC II 1760; SNG Levante 1531; SNG von Aulock 5558. O: ΔΟΜЄΤΙΑΝΟC ΚΑΙCΑΡ, laureate bust right, with slight drapery. R: ЄΤΟVC ΖΙ ΦΛΑVΙΟΠΟΛЄΙΤωΝ, veiled head of Kronos right, harpa to right.
Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.37g). Rome mint, AD 77-80. Obv: IMP CAESAR-VESPASIANVS AVG; Laureate head right. Rev: COS-VIII: Prow facing right, with eight pointed star above. Ref: RIC II 941; BMCRE 210; BN 186; RSC 136.
Interesting thread and great coins, everyone! To celebrate this Flavian date, here are papa Vespasian and his two boys: Vespasian, Roman Empire, denarius, 77/78 AD, Rome mint. Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev; ANNONA AVG, Annona seated left, holding corn ears. 19mm, 3.33g. Ref: RIC II Vespasian 964. Titus (under Vespasian), Roman Empire, denarius, 76 AD, Rome mint. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN, laureate head right. Rev: IOVIS CVSTOS, Jupiter standing left, holding patera and sceptre; altar at left. 19mm, 3.2g. Ref: RIC II Vespasian 863. Domitian, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 88/89 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VIII, laureate head of Domitian right. Rev: IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS PP, Minerva standing left holding thunderbolt and spear, leaning on shield. 19mm, 3.22g. Ref: RIC II (2007) Domitian 669.
Thanks to everyone for posting these great Flavian coins. I have a few... Here are a few you will not see everyday and maybe not for several years if you are looking for them. Ex Dattari, a plate coin in Dattari Savio, Published in RPC vol 2, and the only one known. One of 2 known. The other is owned by @David Atherton . Will be published in the forthcoming RIC addenda as 1363A. One of perhaps 3 known. They are all owned by Forum Ancient Coins members and are listed in their galleries. Will be published in the forthcoming RIC addenda as 1422AA. One of 2 known. This coin is the RIC reference coin. There is no plate of this coin in RIC. The other known example is owned by @David Atherton. It is RIC 773. This Titus is one of 2 known and is the RIC plate coin. It is RIC 695. I believe there are 6-7 exemplars of this coin currently known. It is RIC 597 and is the RIC plate coin. It is also a very rare instance of a left facing portrait of Domitian on a denarius.
Wow, thanks for letting me know that, David. That's a big added bonus to what was already one of my favorite coin purchases of the year. Consequently, I now blame you less by a proportionate amount for the hit my wallet took when I won it.
Vespasian AE As. Lugdunum mint , 71 AD. , RIC II 1171 IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS III, laureate head right / SECVRITAS AVGVSTI, SC in exergue, Securitas seated right, head resting on raised arm, holding sceptre, to right an altar and torch. Titus, as Caesar, AE As. 74 AD. RIC 751[vesp] Cohen 211. T CAESAR IMP COS III CENS, laureate head right / S-C, Spes walking left holding flower and hem of dress. Domitian , Denarius. 88 AD. RIC 668 IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII, laureate head right / IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS P P P, Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column, holding spear and shield, owl at feet. RSC 253.