Revisiting The Collection: Domitian Germania Capta Denarius

[David Atherton]

In this second instalment of 'Revisiting the Collection' we take another look at a Domitian denarius won at auction way back in 2013. It still remains an important cornerstone in the collection.

 

 

Domitian

AR Denarius, 3.20g
Rome mint, 85 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Bust of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis
Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POTES P P; Germania seated r. on shield; below, broken spear
RIC 331 (R2). BMC 82. RSC 181. BNC 84.
Ex Roma Auction V, 23 March 2013, lot 728.

In either 82 or 83 AD Domitian conducted a census of Gaul as a smoke screen in order to make preparations to invade the Germanic Chatti lands across the Rhine. Not much is known of what the actual war consisted of - perhaps some road building, punitive raids against Chatti strongholds, and some minor skirmishes. No large battles, a la Mons Graupius, have come down to us, prompting Tacitus' assertion, 'that in recent times, the Germans were more triumphed over than conquered'. Even the date of the conflict is in dispute - although Domitian did rack up four salutations between June 83 and September 84, several of which must be attributed to the Chattan Campaign.

Domitian celebrated a triumph over the Chatti in 83, after which he claimed the title 'Germanicus'. This rare denarius from 85 is a record of the war and triumph over the defeated German tribe. The coin is part of the last series of denarii minted with the recently increased silver fineness before the lesser Neronian standard was restored. During this period particular attention was paid by the die engravers to Domitian's portrait, evidenced here by the aegis and fine style. The Germania Capta reverse has become an iconic Flavian type, along with Vespasian and Titus' Judaea Capta types, despite the 'hollow' triumph it records.

 

It's fantastic in hand!

 

 

Thanks for looking/watching!

[Prieure de Sion]

Wow… that’s fantastic David. 

[thejewk]

Lovely style on the reverse too, really well rendered.

[Julius Germanicus]

What a gorgeous Denarius, especially as evident in your on-hand video!

Here is the Sestertius version, with the mourning Gemania accompanied by a bound German captive and a trophy of arms:

(after much discussion on this and other forums, this somewhat notorious coin has now been certified as undoubtly genuine by David Sear 🙂)

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT PP – Laureate bust of Domitian right, wearing Aegis on his left shoulder /
GERMANIA CAPTA S C – Germania, as mourning female captive, supporting head with right hand, elbow on knee, seated left on crossed shields at base of trophy of arms; German captive, his hands bound behind his back, standing right, wearing Chlamys, head left, shield to right, helmet on ground
Sestertius, Rome mint, 85 A.D.
35 mm / 25,76 g
RIC II 351; BMCRE 325; Cohen 136; Sear 2765, Cayon 17 (6 specimens, 1.600 SFR)

[Tejas]

These are fantastic pieces. I'd love to have the denarious in particular. I find it interesting, that the mourning Germania is wearing trousers. 

[Julius Germanicus]

1 hour ago, Tejas said:

These are fantastic pieces. I'd love to have the denarious in particular. I find it interesting, that the mourning Germania is wearing trousers. 

Das passt zu unserer heutigen "feministischen Aussenpolitik". Die Frauen hatten hier schon vor 2000 Jahren "die Hosen an" 🤡

[David Atherton]

5 hours ago, Julius Germanicus said:

(after much discussion on this and other forums, this somewhat notorious coin has now been certified as undoubtly genuine by David Sear 🙂)

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT PP – Laureate bust of Domitian right, wearing Aegis on his left shoulder /
GERMANIA CAPTA S C – Germania, as mourning female captive, supporting head with right hand, elbow on knee, seated left on crossed shields at base of trophy of arms; German captive, his hands bound behind his back, standing right, wearing Chlamys, head left, shield to right, helmet on ground
Sestertius, Rome mint, 85 A.D.
35 mm / 25,76 g
RIC II 351; BMCRE 325; Cohen 136; Sear 2765, Cayon 17 (6 specimens, 1.600 SFR)

Glad it worked out!

[CPK]

Incredible coin @David Atherton.