Domitia Cistophorus - She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not!

I have longed to have one of these cistophori of Domitia! They don't come up at auction too often and when they do you have to fight for them! Luckily, I came out on top this time around.

Domitia
AR Cistophorus
Rome mint (for Asia), 82 AD (Domitian)
RIC 847 (R). BMC 256. RSC 19. RPC 870 (8 spec.).
Obv: DOMITIA AVGVSTA; Bust of Domitia, draped r., hair massed in front and in long plait behind
Rev: VENVS AVG; Venus stg. r., leaning on column, with helmet and spear
Ex CNG E424, 11 July 2018, lot 471.

A brief issue of cistophori were struck for Domitia as Augusta under Domitian in 82. Venus leaning on column was the sole reverse type chosen for these rare cistophori. The style and six o'clock die axis point to Rome as the home mint. K. Butcher and M. Ponting's metal analysis reveal they were struck from a different stock of metal than contemporary Rome mint denarii, possibly from recycled older denarii. At 80% silver fineness these early cistophori were likely struck before Domitian's major coinage reform of 82 when the denarius was raised to nearly 100% fineness.

Domitia Longina was the daughter of the famed Roman general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo who was commanded to commit suicide by Nero for alleged treason. Domitian courted and married Domitia soon after Vespasian's accession, despite her already being the wife of Aelius Lamia. It was a good match - distancing the Flavians from the reign of Nero and uniting them to a beloved general's family. Soon after Domitian become emperor, Suetonius tells us he briefly divorced Domitia because of an adulterous affair she had with the actor Paris. Dio claims Domitian actually considered executing her but was persuaded from doing so by the praetorian prefect Ursus. He soon reunited with her after a brief separation alleging the people demanded it. Where this coin fits into that time frame is hard to tell. We don't know exactly when the divorce occurred or how long it lasted. However, it is likely this coin was struck after their reconciliation and can be seen as symbolically strengthening Domitia's position at court.

Feel free to post your empresses!

 

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It is a beauty! I bid on it, but obviously not high enough. Glad to see it show up here in the best possible of hands .

My consolation prize was the Julia Titi, which just arrived yesterday.


Julia Titi
AE Dupondius. 12.34g, 26.5mm. Rome mint, AD 80-81. RIC II (Titus) 397. O: IVLIA IMP T AVG F AVGVSTA, Draped bust right. R: Vesta seated left, holding palladium and scepter; S-C in fields, VESTA in exergue.
Ex Fairfield Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 329, 25 June 2014), lot 413

 

That's a lovely coin and one that has always been out of my reach. You are justifiably proud to have acquired it for your collection.

Domitia is represented in my collection by a couple of provincials:


Domitia, Augusta AD 82-96.
Roman Æ 17.3 mm, 3.15 gm, 7 h.
Ionia, Smyrna.
Obv: ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑ ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΑ, bare-headed and draped bust right.
Rev: ΣΜΥΡΝΑΙΩΝ, Nemesis standing left, plucking at chiton on her neck, bridle in left hand.
Refs: BMC 309; ex-Lindgren I, 80-404 (plate coin).


Domitian and Domitia, AD 81-96
Roman provincial AE Assarion; 5.12 gm. 20 mm
Thessaly, Larissa, AD 82-96
Obv: ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΝ ΚΑΙΣ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΛΟΙ, laureate head of Domitian, right
Rev: ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΣΤΗ, draped bust of Domitia, right
Refs: SGI 891; BMC 7.7,76; RPC 278; Rogers 88.

 

Very nice.. i was watching that coin too, but i'm trying to buy a house at the moment, so i let it go to you

 

Nice pickup! Glad it went to family . I have no provincial cistophori to share.

 

Impressive coin. I'd love to have one to show as well

Q

 

Nice Cisto and nice write-up @David Atherton . Beautiful Domitia silver! Congrats landing that Empress.

I just have a little AE of hers with a bunch of grapes:


RProv Domitia Lydia Philadelphia AE 16 Grape Bunch RPC 1336

I have 37 of the Empresses / Rulers, here are a couple cool ones:


RI Verina w Leo I AE2 20mm 457-475 Victory inscribing CHI RHO - RIC X 656 R3 RARE
Ex: @Valentinian


RI Prv Thrace Deultum Tranquillina 241-244 CE Æ 22mm 6.6 g Hermes purse caduceus SNG Bulgaria 1504-8


RI Agrippina II 50-59 CE AE Diobol 22mm 8.7g Egypt Alexandria Bust of Euthenia w Corn Wreath in Hair RPC 5188

 

Very nice, congrats. Would love to have one like that someday.

 

Here's a tet of Salonina, wife of Gallienus. I'm afraid I don't have any Domitia's yet.





The example shows that the mint of Alexandria still could strike desirable portraits when the rest of the coinage was being degraded. 23mm, 8.7 grams.

 

Fantastic coin David. Thanks for the backstory. It is always interesting to try to place these coins into a historical context.

 

Oh !
And here are some empresses :

Of course Julia Titi to begin with, as it's the little sister coin to the OP


Julia Titi, Denarius - Rome mint, c. AD 79-81
IVLIA AVGVSTA T AVG F, Bust of Julia right
VENVS AVG, Venus leaning on a column, holding helmet and sceptre
3.03 gr
Ref : Cohen #12, RCV #2611


Livia :




Sabina :




Domna :




Mamaea :




Paulina :




Otacilia Severa :




…..
Q

 

Sweet!

 

Here's one of the same type as the OP's - RIC 847 (Domitian):

 

Nice one David, definitely on my wish list. I only have the Julia Titi Cistophoric

 

I am sorry to hear that we bid against one another, but glad you got such a wonderful consolation prize!

 

Good example of the type! The pellet below the bust is visible on your coin, mine is off flan.