A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman

Roman Imperial Coinage, Domitian, Sestertius, Rome, 85, laureate bust right wearing ægis, imp caes domit avg germ cos xi cens pot p p, rev. Emperor on horseback right, holding shield and brandishing spear at German warrior being trampled below horse, s c in exergue, 36.50g (RIC 362; C 484; Sear 2771). On a large heavy flan, some smoothing in fields, otherwise very fine, dark patina, very rare £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Collection

Provenance: P. Vautier Collection, Naville Auction II (Lucerne), 12-14 June 1922, lot 558; Sir Arthur Evans Collection, Ars Classica Auction XVII (Lucerne), 3 October 1934, lot 1341; Baldwin FPL October 1938 (52); bt Baldwin June 1939.

Domitian carried out some military campaigns in Germania between 82 and 85. Despite the heroic image on this coin, his successes were limited; so much so that, in 85, he recalled General Agricola from Britain. Tacitus claims that this was done because Agricola’s successes there far outshone the Emperor’s more modest victories in Germany