Owner Comments:
This very rare ancient coin memorializes Flavia Domitilla Major (also known as Domitilla I, Domitilla Senior, or Domitilla the Elder). Around 38 AD, Domitilla, who rose from humble origins, married Vespasian, who recently achieved the post of tribune despite his own lack of family connections. Domitilla’s choice of partner proved wise; only a year later, Vespasian managed his next promotion, this time to praetor, achieved as soon as he reached the qualifying age. Domitilla apparently supported her husband, although he likely benefited more from his paramour Antonia Caenis, a highly ranked imperial secretary. No one recorded Domitilla’s thoughts on her husband’s affair. Indeed, historical records reveal little about Domitilla, beyond that she bore Vespasian two sons (Titus and Domitian) and one daughter (Domitilla the Younger).
Another conclusion from the historical evidence is that Domitilla died sometime before 69 AD, the year her husband claimed Rome’s throne. She never had the chance to live as an Empress. Some numismatic perplexity about Domitilla remains, owing to the improper attribution of coins posthumously declaring her daughter as DIVA DOMITILLA AVGVSTA. Notwithstanding, the current sestertius represents the only issue appropriately attributed to the elder Domitilla.
The strike occurred in Rome during the reign of Titus, sometime between 79-81 AD. The reverse bears the ubiquitous S C (denoting
senatus consulto, meaning "by decree of the Senate") encircled by IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII. In this fashion, the verso promoted the deification of Titus' father, namely Vespasian. Titus struck similar designs honoring his father in each of the three primary coinage metals (sestertii, denarii and aureii). However, the current sestertius is the only issue wherein Titus honors both his father and also his mother.
The obverse motif chosen to commemorate Domatilla the Elder is an ornate, two-wheeled carriage drawn by two mules. There are two inscriptions: MEMORIAE DOMITILLAE (above the cart), referencing Domitilla’s memory, and S P Q R (in exergue), denoting
senatus populusque romanus, meaning "the Senate and people of Rome". The carriage depicted on the coin was known as a carpentum. Beyond mere conveyances, carpenta held social, political, and spiritual significance. Religious and political elite employed carpenta, particularly Rome’s wealthy and powerful women. Carpenta were tricked out with arched rooftops, elaborate and customized interiors, and even metal- and leather-strap based suspensions. Besides mules, optional powertrains included horses and oxen. Carpenta also sported metal-shod wheels, making them noisy, even at low speeds.
The spectacle of Rome’s powerful women traversing Rome via carpentum can only be imagined. We can gain some insight by inspecting ancient Roman sestertii (only Rome’s largest denomination was worthy for such a dramatic subject). The earliest example dates to Tiberius’ reign: a sestertius struck for Rome’s very first Empress, Livia, to celebrate her recovery from an illness. Another, notable example was a sestertius struck by Caligula to posthumously honor his mother Agrippina Senior. Subsequently, the numismatic image of the carpentum increasingly represented funerals and remembrance of Rome’s imperial women.
As a group, the so-called “carpentum sestertii” provide a fascinating insight into the early Roman Empire and a popular subject for ancient coin collectors.
Additional Reading:
The Cart Before the Mule: Carpenta on Roman Coinage, NGC Ancients, volume 10, issue 8, posted 8/16/2011.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Domitilla the Elder (Died before 69), Sestertius (24.4g, 35mm), Struck in Rome under Titus (79-81), NGC Grade: VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 2/5, Obverse: Carpentum drawn right by two mules, MEMORIAE DOMITILLAE, S P Q R (in exergue), Reverse: Large S C, encircled by IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII, References: RIC II 262 (Titus); Vagi 976.