The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

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

Owner's Description

When Antoninus Pius died in 161 AD, his adoptive heir, Marcus Aurelius, accepted promotion to Emperor under one condition: that he share responsibility with his adoptive brother, Lucius Ceionius Commodus (130 -169 AD), more commonly known as Lucius Verus. Confirmed by the Senate, Marcus’ proposal seemed logical. Both he and Verus were raised under imperial tutelage, and received instruction from Rome’s finest teachers. However, they had very different dispositions. Marcus preferred stoic philosophy, while Verus’ interests leaned more towards debauchery. Nonetheless, they formed Rome’s first diarchy, an imperial odd couple at that. The Aurelia brothers each struck their own coinage, even if their numismatic designs proved far less distinct than their personalities. Their imperial and provincial issues comprised the usual bronze, silver, and gold denominations. They both produced some interesting coins featuring themselves shaking hands together, along with a proclamation of their concord. Importantly, such coins advertised imperial continuity; they circulated among more two decades worth of issues featuring Marcus as Antoninus Pius’ faithful Caesar. In contrast to Marcus, Verus was basically ignored on Antoninus Pius’ coinage. Verus’ numismatic debut occurred in 161 AD, only after his elevation to co-Augustus. These issues were highly imitative of Marcus’, and struck in far lower volumes, commensurate with Verus’ relatively junior position. This well-preserved ancient denarius provides an example. Like most of Verus’ coinage, the obverse bust appears unadorned, as if to avoid detraction of the co-Emperor’s handsomely rugged features. The meticulously engraved details hint at the great pride Verus reportedly took in his appearance, particularly his curly blonde hair and elaborate beard. While imperial facial hair had been the rage ever since Augustus Hadrian, Verus’ beard reached new lengths (and breadths). He reportedly even applied gold dust to his coiffure, in order to further enhance its luster. Beyond advertising Verus’s good looks, the obverse also declares his new status as co-Emperor: IMP L AVREL VERVS AVG. The message continues on the verso, wherein Providentia stands left, holding a globe and a cornucopia. Providentia was the divine personification of the abilty to foresee and make provision. The reverse inscription, PROV DEOR TRP II COS II, completes the scene, affirming that divine providence will prevail as Verus advances into his second year of tribunatory and consular power. Around the time this denarius was struck, it was decided that Verus and Marcus would divide their attentions to more efficiently handle imperial matters. To this end, Verus left Rome to battle the Parthians, while Marcus stayed to handle the Empire’s legal and administrative affairs. This delegation made sense; Verus was physically stronger and more suited for military command. Moreover, Marcus thought the experience might temper his co-Augustus’ growing appetite for drinking, gambling, and bisexual escapades. Instead of providing a moral lesson, military service allowed Verus to extend his profligacy on tour. Verus’ camp was renowned for gluttony, and accompanied by an imperial entourage of musicians and actors. Included in the party was a concubine named Panthea. Although lowborn, she became renown for her beauty; after all, her name translates as “all divine”. At the time, Verus was betrothed to Marcus’ teenage daughter, Annia Lucilla, despite the fact she was technically his niece. Marcus, hearing of Verus’ exploits, interrupted the eastern campaign in order to hasten the wedding. After the wedding, Verus returned his attention to the Parthians. The Romans eventually proved victorious, thanks to the talented generals leading the charge. Regardless, Verus claimed credit. Conveniently, he had embedded his imperial tutor, Marcus Cornelius Fronto, as his campaign historian. Needless to say, historical accounts of Verus’ valor are suspect. If nothing else, he improved the troop’s morale with his theatrics, literally. Verus returned to Rome in triumph. Instead of the usual war prisoners and deposed rulers, he returned with an assortment of foreign courtesans and entertainers. Unfortunately and unknowingly, the imperial retinue carried a pestilence, possibly smallpox or measles. The resulting epidemic devastated Rome’s population for more than decade. Plaugue notwithstanding, Verus continued his indulgent lifestyle. He established a tavern inside his villa, where eclectic Romans gathered to drink and gamble, day and night. When he grew tired of his own quarters, the co-Augustus dressed as a commoner and frequented Rome’s bars and brothels, at least when he wasn’t attending gladiator contests or chariot races. He threw elaborate banquets, including a notorious party for twelve that set the Empire back six million sesterces. Of course, the stoic Marcus disapproved of such frivolities. Reportedly, he visited Verus’ villa/tavern, not to party, but to diligently work on imperial business. Predictably, the attempt at setting a positive example failed. Verus’ partying was interrupted in 168 AD, when barbarian tribes invaded the Danubian border. Owing the plague, Rome seemed vulnerable, and the barrage represented a serious threat. Verus once again marched to war, and this time Marcus joined him, to maintain focus on the enemy at hand. At the sight of Rome’s approaching armies, the barbarians withdraw. At least temporarily, the situation stabilized, and Verus and Marcus headed back home. Along the way, Verus suddenly fell ill, and died within a few days. Theories for the cause of death range from stroke to poisoned oysters (perhaps the design of his mother-in-law, Faustina Jr., with whom he may have had relations). It is quite possible that Verus died from the same disease he inadvertently introduced to the Empire. This malady was named the Antonine Plauge, referring to Marcus’ cognomen. The descriptor is ironic, yet not necessarily inappropriate. Even posthumously, Verus eschewed responsibility, whereas his co-Emperor accepted it. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Lucius Verus, AD 161-169, AR Denarius (3.21 g, 19 mm), NGC Grade: Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Rome mint struck 161-162 AD, Obverse: Laureate bust of Lucius Verus, facing right, head right, IMP L AVREL VERVS AVG, Reverse: Providentia standing left, holding globe in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand, PROV DEOR TRP II COS II, References: Sear 1539, RIC 482, RSC 155.

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