Dea Moneta
login
Banner Artemide LVI
Domitius Domitianus' Follis
Lot # 419
Domitius Domitianus (Usurper, 297-298). AE Follis, Alexandria mint. Obv. IIMP CL DOMITIVS DOMITIANVS AVG. Laureate head right. Rev. GENIO POPV-L-I ROMANI. Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae; at feet, eagle standing left, head right; in right field, B; in exergue, ALE. RIC VI 19. AE. 10.29 g. 26.00 mm. RR. Very rare and seldom offered. An attractive example, in excellent condition for issue. Lovely brown patina, with emerald green deposits. Good VF/VF. The personal history of Domitius Domitianus and the circumstances of his usurpation in Egypt remain obscure. All that is known for certain is that early in the Tetrarchy, Egypt elevated its own emperor, perhaps spurred by Roman military setbacks against Persia in AD 296. Historical records name the leader of the revolt as a certain Achilleus, but it is uncertain whether this rebel is one in the same as Domitianus, or a supporter of his. In addition to billon folles such as this example on the regular imperial denominational system, Domitianus also struck coins on the old Egyptian standard, all of them dated "Year Two," suggesting the revolt lasted longer than a year. Diocletian undertook to crush the rebellion in mid-AD 297 and invaded Alexandria after a bitter siege. The fates of Domitianus and his alter-ego or backer Achilleus are unknown, but no doubt unpleasant. (CNG inventory 515560 note).