CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
- Emperor:
- Domitian, struck under Vespasian
- Denomination:
- AE21
- Composition:
- Bronze
- Date:
- 69-79 AD
- Obverse:
- DOMITIA-NV[SCAESAR], Laureate head of Domitian left
- Reverse:
- Large SC within laurel wreath of eight pairs of leaves terminating in a pellet; looped ties at bottom
- Reference:
- Butcher 165.iv.c.; BMC Syria [Antioch] p. 181, 252; SNG Copenhagen 181; McAlee 403d; RPC 2017; SGICV 872
- Size:
- 21mm, 7.5g, 1h
- Province:
- Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem
- Grade:
- gVF, attractive dark green patina,
Domitianus (Domitian) was the son and heir of the Roman Emperor Vespasian. His 15 year reign (the longest since Tiberius) came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated by court officials. The Antioch coinage of Domitian was struck both during Vespasian's reign and during Domitian's own reign as Roman Emperor. This coin was struck under Vespasian's reign, evident by the long thin leaves and looped ties at the bottom of the wreath. Under Domitian's reign, the pellets would later be replaced with a numerical system. The purpose of the pellets and numeral letters on the coins from Antioch must have served some purpose but what that purpose was exactly has been lost in time and remains today the subject of some speculation.
I, Peter A. Piliouras of Ancient Coin Traders irrevocably guarantee for life to the Purchaser that this ancient coin is authentic. If this coin is deemed not to be authentic by a professional certification service, then I will refund to the Purchaser the full cost of acquiring the coin (including shipping) together with the certification fees.
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Signed: Peter Anthony Piliouras
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Date