The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5
Grade Comment: lt. smoothing
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

In mid 370s AD, a Spanish noblewoman named Aelia Flaccilla made the acquaintance of one Flavius Theodosius, a noble visitor from the eastern Roman Empire. A relationship between the two developed, and the couple married in 376 AD. The newlyweds intended to reside locally and settle down (after all, Theodosius needed to lay low after his father’s execution for treason). However, Theodosius succumbed to imperial recruiters, and the couple relocated eastward. The move turned out to be a good career decision in 379 AD when Theodosius and Flaccilla earned the titles of Augustus and Augusta of the Roman Empire. The couple raised two sons, the future Augusti Arcadius and Honorius. Flaccilla’s reign was marked for her compassion towards the Empire’s underprivileged. She was reported to have personally tended to the poor and disabled. Flaccilla’s piety was also renown; she was an avid supporter of Nicene Christianity, which officially became the Empire’s state religion. For her efforts, Flaccilla earned the commemoration of sainthood according to the Eastern Orthodox Church. In addition, Flaccilla was honored on coins, such as this Siscian example struck sometime in 383-384 AD. Flaccilla’s coinage – the first for an Augusta in a half-century – restored the numismatic tradition of featuring important Roman women. On the verso, Victory inscribes the religious symbol of chi-rho accompanied by the legend SALVS REIPVBLICAE (health of the republic), imagery consistent with Flaccilla’s piety and regard for the Empire’s welfare. The coin’s obverse legend, AEL FLAC-CILLA AVG, notably employs the Augusta’s full name. After her death in 386 AD, Flaccilla's praenomen, Aelia, was adopted by future Empresses, in a new tradition mimicking that of Emperors employing Augustus to honor the Empire's very first ruler. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Aelia Flaccilla, AD 379-386/8, Æ (23mm, 4.73 g, 7h), Siscia mint, 1st officina, Struck AD 383-384, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Diademed and draped bust right, AEL FLAC-CILLA AVG, Reverse: Victory seated right, inscribing shield set on column,SALVS REI-PVBLICAE, ASISC• in exergue, References: RIC IX 34.1; LRBC 1560.

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