From the Gemini IV Auction, Closed January 8, 2008.



                  Lot # 415 - Auction is closed.Estimate: US$15000 / Unsold: 
                  Available at opening bid of US$13000 + Buyers Fee 
                  Domitia. Silver denarius 



             



            Domitia. (Wife of Domitian). Silver denarius (3.51 gm). Rome, 82-83 
            AD. DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT, bust draped right / DIVVS CAESAR IMP 
            DOMITIANI F, Domitian’s deified baby son, nude, seated left on 
            celestial globe with crossing zodiac bands, raising his hands, with 
            two stars flanking his head and five more in left and right field. 
            BMCRE 63. CBN 71. RIC 213 (R3). Cohen 11 (200 Fr.). From the same 
            dies as the Paris aureus of these types, CBN 70, PL. XCII. One of 
            the finest known examples of this extremely rare type. Nearly mint 
            state. 

            Suetonius says that Domitian's and Domitia's son was born during 
            Vespasian's reign, in 73 AD, but his consecration doubtless took 
            place only after Domitian's accession to the throne in 81. The 
            consecration must have occurred early in the reign, since the aureus 
            and denarius of our type were struck at the elevated standard which 
            Domitian introduced in mid-82 but reduced again in 85. The type of 
            the deified Caesar seated among the stars refers to the Roman belief 
            that consecrated humans became stars in the heavens when they died. 




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  ... Lot 415 was unsold.
 

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