Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 4896313, member: 82616&quot;]The Roman goddess Salus was responsible for the prosperity of the Roman state and its rulers and was an important deity on the coinage throughout the Flavian era. My latest arrival showcases a mysterious shrine possibly dedicated to her.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1181516[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Domitian</b></p><p>Æ As, 9.54g</p><p>Rome mint, 84 AD</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS X; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis</p><p>Rev: SALVTI AVGVSTI; S C in exergue; Altar</p><p>RIC 224 (C2). BMC 291. BNC 309.</p><p>Acquired from eBay, September 2020. Formerly in NGC holder #4285243-015, with grade Ch F.</p><p><br /></p><p>The SALVTI AVGVSTI altar type was first introduced on Domitian&#039;s aes coinage in 84 after a brief hiatus of the Senatorial mint&#039;s production in 82-83, presumably for re-organisational purposes. This earliest version of the type has the legend starting at the lower left, later issues would place the legend above and below. The structure on the reverse has been traditionally described as an altar, however, Marvin Tameanko has convincingly argued it is actually a sacellum, or small shrine. He states the steps at the base leading to two doors with handles are overwhelming evidence that the structure was much larger than an altar. As far as the shrine&#039;s significance - H. Mattingly in BMCRE II interprets the type as commemorating the Senate&#039;s dedication of an altar shrine celebrating Domitian&#039;s safe return from the Germanic Wars of 82-83. Alternately, the shrine may have been dedicated as an appeal to Salus for the emperor&#039;s continued good health. Tameanko attributed the reverse to Domitian&#039;s hypochondria. In any case, no trace of the shrine has survived antiquity.</p><p><br /></p><p>Post your shrine/altars![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in