141
3143
Domitilla II. Silver Denarius (3.50 g), Augusta, ca. AD 82/3.
Rome, under Domitian, AD 82/3. DIVA DOMITILLA AVGVS-
TA, draped bust of Domitillia II right, hair in curls on forehead
and braided in long plait down back of neck.
Reverse:
FORTVNA
AVGVST, Fortuna standing facing, head left, holding rudder and
cornucopiae. RIC 157; BMC 137; RSC 3. Boldly struck on a huge
flan and well centered on both sides. An incredible example, lus-
trous with hints of light golden toning.
Extremely rare and among
the finest known specimens
.
Superb Extremely Fine.
Although the first edition of RIC II assigns this exceptionally rare
and spectacular denarius to Domitilla I, the wife of Vespasian, it
is a coin of Domitilla II, the sister of Titus and Domitian. The coin is
undated, but metrological evidence indicates that it was struck
after Domitian’s monetary reform of AD 82, specifically to the
year 82/3 (see Carradice, Coinage and Finances in the Reign
of Domitian, AD 81-96, pp. 16-22). The title of Augusta - which
surprisingly was not mentioned by any ancient author - was
given posthumously to the younger Domitilla, probably at the
same time that Domitian’s wife Domitia was awarded the title.
Estimated Value.......................................................... $30,000-UP
Ex Numismatica Genevensis 7 (27-28 November 2012), 348; NAC
41 (20 November 2007), 63.
