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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 7563236, member: 82616&quot;]But gosh, it has a neat little numismatic story behind it too.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1304073[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian]</b></p><p>Æ Assarion, 5.41g</p><p>Koinon of Bithynia, Reign of Vespasian (69-79 AD), M. Maecius Rufus Procos</p><p>Obv: ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣ ΥΙΟΣ; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.</p><p>Rev: ΕΠΙ Μ ΜΑΙΚΙΟΥ ΡΟΥΦΟΥ ΑΝΘΥΠΑΤΟΥ; Spear and round shield</p><p>RPC 607 (6 spec.).</p><p>Acquired from eBay, May 2021.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Koinon of Bithynia produced several issues of bronze coinage during Vespasian&#039;s reign under four separate proconsuls, all of which are undated which makes assigning a chronology difficult. This assarion of Domitian Caesar struck under the proconsulship of Maecius Rufus possibly dates towards the middle of Vespasian&#039;s reign, but hard evidence is lacking to be certain. The reverse likely commemorates the silver shield and spear granted to Domitian Caesar as <i>princeps iuventutis</i> by the equestrian order. A most appropriate reverse type for the young prince.</p><p><br /></p><p>As mentioned above, I purchased this coin because of the artistic portrait, which is one of the finest I&#039;ve come across for this issue (normally they are a bit more unrefined). In other words it&#039;s not a &#039;Friday afternoon&#039; die.</p><p><br /></p><p>Please feel free to share your fine portraits![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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