Owner Comments:
Domitian wasn’t a particularly popular Roman Emperor. To be fair, his predecessors, namely brother Titus and father Vespasian before him, were tough acts to follow, having earned fame for their military prowess. Domitian, on the other hand, focused on micromanaging Rome’s regulations and religious doctrines. Also contributing to Domitian’s low approval rating was his paucity of heirs. In a last-ditch effort, the Emperor adopted his two grand-nephews, one of whom, known as Vespasian II or Vespasian Junior, appears on this ancient bronze coin.
Only a handful of such coins survive today, and die studies suggest that very few were produced in the first place. This coin originated in Smyrna, a prominent ancient city strategically located in western Anatolia on the Aegean Sea. Smyrna had sown ties with Rome ever since Hellas’ wane in 2nd century BC; specifically, the Smyrneans created a cult of Rome. Besides the goddess Roma, many other deities were worshipped at Smyrna, including Nike, who appears on the reverse of this coin. The obverse features the bare-headed bust of a boy, accompanied by the inscription OYECΠACIANOC NEΩTEPOC, indicating “younger Vespasian.” Although there has been some debate over this coin’s attribution, current opinion favors Vespasian Junior. As such, it represents the only coin struck for Vespasian Junior. There are no known coins struck for this brother, Domitian Junior, who was also adopted by Domitian.
The fate of younger Vespasian remains uncertain. Soon after this coin debuted, his father, Titus Flavius Clemens, was executed by Domitian for monotheism. Perhaps Domitian decided to pro-actively execute Vespasian Junior as well, even at the expense of becoming heirless once again. In any case, Domitian’s efforts to propagate the Flavian dynasty proved moot. After Domitian's murder, a wary Senate choose a more moderate candidate, Marcus Cocceius Nerva, as the next ruler of the Roman Empire.
Coin Details: IONIA, Smyrna, Vespasian II (Circa 88-95/6), Ae (2.93 g, 16 mm), Struck under Domitian, NGC Grade: Ch VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface 2/5, Obverse: Bare head right, OVЄCΠACIANOC NΕΩTEPOC, Reverse: Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm frond, ZMYPNAIΩN, References: BMC 319; Klose, XLII,1, plate 31; RPC II 1028.