The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

It is difficult to find historical accounts, particularly unbiased ones, regarding the life and reign of Carinus (c. 249-285 AD). After his death, Carinus was condemned by damnatio memoriae, a process wherein physical objects - inscriptions, paintings, sculptures, and even coins - with his image were destroyed, with the intent of erasure from history. In addition, Carinus’ successor was Diocletian, a master at propaganda who undoubtedly had much to gain from sullying the name of the former Emperor. Both Carinus and his brother Numerian rose to the rank of Caesar (or heir) thanks to their father, Augustus Carus. When the latter died in 283 AD, the two brothers became co-Augusti. Carinus, on campaign against the Germanic Quadi tribes, subsequently returned to Rome and claimed the throne. Numerian, on campaign in the east against the Persians, remained there a while longer before returning westward, at the behest of his troops. Numerian died en route, and Carinus became sole official Augustus. The surviving accounts of Carinus describe him as becoming quite depraved in his imperial role, although there is likely strong bias in these histories. It was reported that Carinus married nine times, casting each wife away as she became pregnant. He filled his court with musicians, actors, and prostitutes. Not only was Carinus depraved and cruel, he was prone to excesses. He insisted on being adorned by jewels. He held lavish repasts in banqueting halls overflowing with food and wine, and afterwards, orgies in flower-filled bedrooms. This coin was minted in the midst of these alleged revelries, sometime between September 283 and January 284 AD. The obverse portrays a typical imperial bust: radiate, draped and cuirassed. On the verso is the depiction of Aeternitas, the Roman divine personification of eternity. In one hand she holds a globe, upon which is perched a phoenix, the fabled creature reborn in flames every half millennia. Aeternitas notwithstanding, Carinus’ partying did not last. Word arrived that, following Numerian’s death, the troops proclaimed Diocletian as new Augustus. To deal with this threat, Carinus gathered his local troops, and set out from Rome. Carinus met up with Diocletian in Moesia and fought him in the Battle of the Margus River in 285 AD. Accounts of the battle vary. According to one history, Carinus had the upper hand, and victory was near…until one of his soldiers, whose wife was seduced by the lecherous Emperor, took the opportunity for revenge. The party was over for Carinus, and Diocletian became the undisputed Augustus of the Roman Empire. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Carinus 283-285 AD, Billon Aurelianianus (3.50 g, 22.5 mm), Rome mint, Sep 283 - early Jan 284 AD, NGC Grade: AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, IMP C M AVR CARINVS AVG, Reverse: Aeternitas standing left holding phoenix on globe and raising robe, AETERNIT AVGG, KAG in exergue, Reference: RIC 247.

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