Roman Imperial: Domitian, as Augustus (AD 81-96). AV aureus (19mm, 7.60 gm, 7h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5....

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Domitian, as Augustus (AD 81-96). AV aureus (19mm, 7.60 gm, 7h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, AD 92-94. DOMITIANVS-AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Domitian right / GERMANICVS COS XVI, Germania, bare-chested and draped from the waist, half-reclining to right, with head resting on left hand in attitude of mourning, on Germanic hexagonal shield; broken spear below. Calicó 854. RIC II.1, 747. Mirror-like, canary dies.

Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3115 (8 May 2024), lot 31076; Heritage Auction, Auction 3056 (3 August 2017), lot 30110.

Domitian's wars against the Germans are described by his biographers as farcical affairs unworthy of celebration, but this likely stems from the hostile press he received after his assassination. Shortly after securing the throne, he set off with the legions in a campaign against the Chatti in AD 83, after which he claimed the title Germanicus, seen on this gold aureus issued about a decade later. Whether the campaign was punitive in nature, or just an opportunity for Domitian to gain credibility with the Legions, it does seem to have enabled him to secure Roman control of the frontier area known as the Agri Decumates, which remained in Roman hands for another century and a half.

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