Coin — Aureus of Domitian, Roman Empire, 81 AD
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
81 AD
Coin in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number A.679-1910), made in Roman Empire, dated 81 AD. The museum's brief description reads: Coin, aureus of Domitian, gold, Emperor Domitian and his wife Domitia, Roman, 81 AD.
Museum description: Obverse: Inscription. Head of Domitian laureate. Border of dots. Reverse: Inscription. Head of Domitian to right, border of dots. The museum records it as Gold, measuring Diameter 1.90 cm; Weight 7.71 g. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
On one side of this Roman coin is the Emperor Flavius Domitianus, also known as Domitian. Domitian seems to have been a sound and respected ruler whose main interest was preserving order in the Empire. However, he had many enemies amongst Rome's senatorial class, possibly because he appointed persons from the lower classes to positions of authority. In 96 A.D. he was stabbed to death in a plot, allegedly involving his wife Domitia. On the other side of the coin is Domitia. Domitia Longina was the daughter of the famous general Cnaeus Domitius Corbulo and was taken from her husband and married to Domitian in 70 A.D. In 83 A.D. She was exiled for her affair with the actor Paris. But Domitian apparently then forgave her, as ancient sources indicate her as a part of the plot that ended the emperor's life. She died in the reign of Trajan or Antoninus Pius
Physical characteristics
- Material
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter 1.90 cm; Weight 7.71 g
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Gold
- Place recorded
- Roman Empire
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- 'IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M'; 'DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP . DOMIT'
Identification
- Museum object name
- Coin
- Museum object number
- A.679-1910
- Museum system number
- O119019
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and date against a specialist reference.