(1st century, the 12 Caesars)
Collection L - Now For Sale - Offers Welcome
THE JULIO-CLAUDIANS ( Family Tree )
JULIUS CAESAR [1], 49-44 BC (see Roman Imperatorial coins page)
AUGUSTUS [2], 27 BC - 14 AD
10492. AUGUSTUS RESTITUTION, AE33 mm sestertius issued by NERVA. Sear 532. Bare head of Augustus r., DIVVS AVGVSTVS/IMP NERVA CAES AVG REST around large SC. Near VF. Scarce. Significantly better portrait than photo.
7935. CHOICE AUGUSTUS PORTRAIT BRONZE, 27BC-14AD. AE As. Radiate hd. l./Augustus in curule chair l. Choice EF. Sharply stuck, well centered example. Rare this nice.
9440. EXCELLENT STYLE AUGUSTUS PORTRAIT DENARIUS, Denarius. /Shield within wreath. EF. 
10485. CHOICE AUGUSTUS DENARIUS, 27 BC-14 AD. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.92 g, 1h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck 2 BC-AD 12. Laureate head right / Gaius and Lucius Caesars standing facing; shields and spears between; simpulum and lituus above. RIC I 207; RSC 43. Near EF, lightly toned. $950
L. VOLUSIUS SATURNINUS, proconsul under Augustus
L. VOLUSIUS SATURNINUS, Byzacium, Achulla. Proconsul under Augustus. Struck 7-6 BC. Head of Astarte right, wearing stephane / Bare head of Saturninus right. RPC 801; Amandry, Notes VI, 8 II C, 3 (D2/R1; this coin); MAA 61; SNG Copenhagen -. Near VF, red-brown patina with areas of green, minor overall roughness on reverse. Extremely rare. From the Patrick Villemur Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica B (25 February 1992), lot 1718. L. Volusius Saturninus was suffect consul in 12 BC. He was the first member of his senatorial family to amass great wealth, and his service to Rome brought them great prestige. Both his son, also named L. Volusius Saturninus, and grandson, Quintus Volusius Saturninus, became consuls, in AD 3 and 56, respectively. His niece, Lollia Paulina, was the third wife of the emperor Gaius (Caligula). LOOKING FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THIS COIN, PLEASE CONTACT IF AVAILABLE
M. PLAUTIUS SILVANUS, proconsul under Augustus
11689. M. PLAUTIUS SILVANUS. Mysia, Pergamum under Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AE (20mm, 5.30 g, 12h). M. Plautius Silvanus, proconsul and Demophon, grammateus togate standing facing, holding patera, being crowned by figure in military outfit / Statue of Augustus standing facing, holding scepter, within distyle temple façade. RPC I 2364; SNG France 2016-21. Good Fine, rough dark green patina. Scarce. 
LIVIA, wife of Augustus, mother of Tiberius
10748. LIVIA (Julia Augusta). Augusta, AD 14-29. AE Dupondius (30mm, 12.72 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23. Bareheaded and draped bust of Julia Augusta as Salus right / Legend around large S C. RIC I 47 (Tiberius). VF, green patina, areas of encrustation, smoothed and tooled. Scarce. 
JULIA, daughter of Augustus, step-daughter of Livia, wife of Marcellus, Agrippa and Tiberius, mother of Gaius and Lucius caesars, Agrippa Postumus, Julia the Younger and Agrippina Senior
10591. LIVIA AND JULIA. AE17 of Pergamum, Mysia. (4.90 g, 12h). Charinos grammateus. Draped bust of Livia (Julia Augusta) right / Draped bust of Julia right. RPC I 2359; SNG Copenhagen 467. VF, green patina. Very rare and quite an excellent portrait of the daughter of Augustus with a portrait of Augustus' wife as well. Ex CNG. 
MARCELLUS, son-in-law and intended heir of Augustus, son of Octavia (sister of Augustus), first husband and cousin of Julia
MARCELLUS, Phrygia, Cibyra. under Nero(?). AD 54-68. AE 19mm Marcellus, legate(?). MAR KELLOC, bare head of Marcellus right / KIBU RATWN, eagle standing left on altar, head right. RPC I 2890; von Aulock, Phrygiens -; Imhoof-Blumer, KM 27 and pl. VIII, 14; SNG von Aulock 8397 (‘Zeit des Tiberius’); Weber 7060; SNG Copenhagen -. Very rare. Photo courtesy of CNG. LOOKING FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THIS COIN. PLEASE CONTACT US IF ONE IS AVAILABLE.
AGRIPPA, son in-law and intended successor of Augustus, 2nd husband of Julia, father of Gaius and Lucius caesars, Agrippa Postumus, Julia the Younger and Agrippina Senior
CHOICE PUBLISHED EXAMPLE 11986. AUGUSTUS WITH AGRIPPA, GAUL, NEMAUSUS. 27 BC-AD 14. AE As(?) (28mm, 13.19 g, 5h). Struck circa AD 10-14. Heads of Agrippa, wearing rostral crown and wreath, to left, and Augustus, laureate, to right, back to back / Crocodile right chained to palm tree with long vertical fronds; wreath with long ties above, palm fronds below. RPC I 525; RIC I 160. Near EF, brown patina with patches of red and tan highlights. A wonderful sharp example of superior style, the best I've seen. Provenance: From the Fairfield Collection.
Published in The Biology and History of the American Crocodile in Florida by Charles LeBuff, Amber Publishing, April, 2016.
7661. AGRIPPA (struck by Caligula). Dupondius, RIC58. /Neptune stg. l. EF. Choice fine style portrait of the famous Roman general.
CAIUS CAESAR, adopted son and intended heir of Augustus, son of Agrippa and Julia
10153. CHOICE RARE PORTRAIT BRONZE OF GAIUS (CAIUS) CAESAR. MACEDON, Thessalonic. Augustus, with Caius Caesar. 27 BC-AD 14. AE 20mm (8.07 g). Struck circa AD 1-4. (TH)ESSALONIKEWN; Laureate head of Augustus right / GAIOS SEBASTOU YIOS; Bare head of Caius Caesar right. RPC 1564; Touratsoglou Em. X, - (V47/R132). EF and one of the finest known examples. Gaius or Caius Caesar was the son of Agrippa, and grandson of Augustus. Choice portrait of a rarely seen Roman caesar. 
LUCIUS CAESAR, adopted son and intended heir of Augustus, son of Agrippa and Julia
10803. AUGUSTUS WITH CAIUS AND LUCIUS CAESARS, Paphlagonia, Sinope. 27 BC-AD 14. AE (21mm, 5.44 g, 12h). Dated CY 39 (8/7 BC). Bare head of Augustus right / Jugate heads of Caius and Lucius right. RPC I 2120; RG 87. VF, coppery brown surfaces. Sharp portrait of a rarely seen Roman caesar. 
AGRIPPA POSTUMUS, son of Agrippa and Julia
12940. AGRIPPA POSTUMUS, Caesar 12 BC-AD 14. Corinth mint. AE (22mm, 6.49 g, 7h). C. Mussius Priscus and C. Heius Pollio, duoviri. Struck AD 4-5. CORINTHI AGRIPPA CAESAR, bare head right / C HEIO POL/LIONE ITER/ C MVSSIO P/RISCO II VIR in four lines within wreath. Amandry Group XIII; RPC I 1141; Vagi 399. Fine, brown patina. Rare. Provenance: From the RAM Collection. Son of Augustus' trusted lieutenant, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, and Julia the Elder, Postumus (so-called because he was born after his father's death) fell out of favor with Augustus for unknown reasons. There is a nearly identical coin with the portrait and name of Augustus on the right obverse that must be distinguished to identify a coin of Agrippa Postumus.
SOLD.
ASINIUS GALLUS, proconsul of Asia and potential successor of Augustus
11386. ASINIUS GALLUS. Augustus and C. Asinius Gallus, Proconsul of Asia. AE18 of Temnus, Aeolis. 6-5 BC. Obverse: ACINIOC ΓAΛΛOC AΓNOC, bare head of Gallus right. Reverse: AΠOΛΛAC ΩAINIOY TAMNITAN, head of Dionysos right, wreathed in ivy. Weight: 3.08 grams Rarity: 6 RPC I 2447; SNG Cop. 276. Asinius Gallus was held in high regard by Augustus as the obverse legend implies in its use of the Greek adjective agnos (pure, chaste, innocent) and considered by him as a potential successor. However after the death of Augustus he was imprisoned and eventually starved to death by Tiberius.
SOLD.
TIBERIUS [3], 14-37
8176. SUPERB TRIBUTE PENNY OF THE BIBLE IN GOLD. TIBERIUS, 14-37 AD. Gold aureus, H.6a. /Livia std. Same as the silver tribute penny of the Bible but struck as an aureus in gold. FDC. One of the sharpest we've carried. Choice sharp example with mint luster.
11419. TIBERIUS. AD 14-37. AE As (27mm, 11.35 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 21-22. Bare head left / Legend around large S . C. RIC I 44. VF, brown surfaces, areas of light roughness. A beautifully styled realistic portrait. Provenance: Robert O. Ebert Collection. $2450.
LUCIUS APRONIUS, proconsul in Africa under Tiberius
12949. TIBERIUS AND APRONIUS. Numidia, Hippo Regius, 20/21 AD. AE 5.50 g. Bare head of Tiberius right, simpulum and litus in field; TI CAESAR DIVI AVGVSTI F AVGVSTVS / Bare head of Lucius Apronius right; L APRONIVS HIPPONE LIBERA. RPC 713. Good Fine. Very rare.
DRUSUS (Drusus II, Drusus Minor) b13BC-d23AD, son of Tiberius
10762. DRUSUS, son of Tiberius, Caesar, AD 19-23. AE As (29mm, 10.40 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 22-23. Obverse: DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N; Bare head of Drusus left. Reverse: Large SC within legend PONTIF TRIBVN POTEST ITER around. RIC 145 (Tiberius), Sear #1794. Near EF. A choice portrait example. Scarce. 
LIVILLA, wife of Gaius Caesar and Drusus, daughter of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia, sister of Germanicus and Claudius, mother of Tiberius and Germanicus Gemellus and Livia Julia, granddaughter of Livia, Marc Antony and Octavia
11442. LIVILLA, circa 22-23 AD, AE Dupondius 13.98 g. Veiled bust of Livilla? as Pietas r. Rev. Legend around S C. C 1. RIC Tiberius 43. Brown-green patina, pitting on reverse, otherwise very fine with an excellent style high profile portrait. David Vagi in his 'Coinage and History of the Roman Empire' has made a convincing case that these Pietas types portray Livilla rather than Livia. Livilla was the sister of both Claudius and Germanicus. She and her ambitious lover Sejanus wielded great power and were involve in poisoning her husband in a failed attempt to bring Sejanus to the throne for which they both eventually lost their lives.
TIBERIUS GEMELLUS, son of Drusus and Livilla
11171. TIBERIUS GEMELLUS? Caesar, AD 35-37. Lydia, Philadelphia (as Neocaesarea) mint. AE (14mm, 3.25 g). TIBEPION CEBACTON(?), bare head right / Winged thunderbolt. LS 24 (under Tiberius Gemellus; same obv. die as illustration); RPC I 3017 (under Tiberius; same obv. die as illustrations); Vagi 480 (under Tiberius Gemellus; same obv. die as illustration). VF, dark green patina, light earthen highlights. Rare. The attribution of this coin is complicated by the celator's recutting of the single obverse die used to strike this issue. While it is possible that the letter traces could read CEBACTON, the authors of RPC note that this reading, as well as the identification with Tiberius Gemellus, is uncertain.
TIBERIUS GEMELLUS and GERMANICUS GEMELLUS, sons of Drusus and Livilla
11366. TIBERIUS GEMELLUS and GERMANICUS GEMELLUS, sons of Drusus and Livilla. AD 19-37/8 and 19-23/4, respectively. AE Sestertius (26.78 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23. Crossed cornucopias, each surmounted by the bust of one of the Gemellus brothers, vis-a-vis; winged caduceus between / Rs. DRVSVS . . TI CAESAR AVG .. F .. DIVI AVG N … PONT TR POT … II, large S C. RIC I 42 (Tiberius), Cohen 1. Rare. Reddish brown patina, rough reverse but disregarding a couple of very small pits the obverse is spectacular with all devices sharp and exceptional sharp portraits of fine style. . 
SEJANUS, potential successor of Tiberius
11683. TIBERIUS AND SEJANUS. Pretorian Prefect of Tiberius. AE28 As, 11.23 g. 8h. Mint of Bibilis, L. Aelius Sejanus, praetorian consul. Struck AD 31. Laureate head of Tiberius right / Large COS across field within wreath. ACIP 3024; RPC I 398; SNG Copenhagen 620. Near Fine, brown patina, rough. The name of Sejanus complete and legible. Very rare and an even rarer example with the name of Sejanus intact. In almost all specimens the name of the famous Pretorian Prefect of Tiberius was obliterated following his execution. Only 19 examples known to RPC. Lucius Aelius Sejanus came from an up-and-coming equestrian family. Early in his career, Sejanus served with Augustus' grandson Gaius in the east, and may have accompanied Drusus Caesar north to quell the mutinies that broke out upon Augustus' death. Initially he had been his father's colleague as praefectus praetorio, but when Strabo was promoted to the more prestigious post of praefectus Aegypti, Sejanus retained sole command of the Guard, a post which, according to later historians, he used to his advantage. Consolidating the Praetorians in a permanent encampment at the eastern edge of the city, he used the Guard to increase his power and influence over Tiberius. In AD 23, upon the death of Drusus Caesar, Sejanus proposed marrying Drusus' widow Livilla, with whom he was allegedly having an affair. So indispensable had he become in maintaining order in the capital that Tiberius called him "the partner of my labors," a position that Sejanus carefully built upon following the emperor's retirement to Capri in AD 26. Using the emperor's absence to his advantage, Sejanus imprisoned Germanicus' widow, Agrippina Senior, her sons Nero and Drusus Caesars, and their supporters on charges of treason. In AD 31, Sejanus served as consul with Tiberius – the first step, he hoped, to acquiring tribunician power and becoming the imperial heir. At the height of this power, however, Tiberius, made aware of Sejanus’ machinations, condemned his consular colleague in a letter to the Senate. Harsh reprisals against Sejanus and his adherents followed, including the removal of his name from public monuments and one certain coins of this type. Commentary courtesy CNG.
$1750
11633. TIBERIUS AND SEJANUS. Pretorian Prefect of Tiberius. AE28, 11.23 g. Mint of Bibilis, Spain, 31 AD. Copper as, RPC I 398, Burgos 196, Vagi 484. Wildwinds RPC 398.1 (this coin). Obverse: TI CAESAR DIVI AVGVSTI F AVGVSTVS; laureate head of Tiberius right. Reverse: MVN AVGVSTA BILBILIS TI CAESARE V L AELIO SEIANO, COS in wreath. Near VF/VF. Very rare and an even rarer example with the name of Sejanus intact. In almost all specimens the name of the famous Pretorian Prefect of Tiberius was obliterated following his execution. Only 19 examples known to RPC. SOLD.
NERO CLAUDIUS DRUSUS, younger brother of Tiberius, husband of Antonia, father of Germanicus, Livilla and Claudius
9470. SCARCE SESTERTIUS OF NERO CLAUDIUS DRUSUS, by Claudius, c. 50-54 AD. Sestertius, RIC 114. Laur. bust r./Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue spearing downwards between two trophies, NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP SC. VF. Nice architectural rv. Rare and better than photo. 
ANTONIA (aka Antonia Minor or Antonia the Younger), 3rd daughter of Marc Antony and Octavia, wife of Nero Claudius Drusus, mother of Germanicus, Livilla, and Claudius
11358. ANTONIA MINOR. Augusta, AD 37 and 41. AE Dupondius (31mm, 16.74 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Claudius. Draped bust right / Claudius, togate, standing left, holding simpulum. RIC I 104 (Claudius); von Kaenel Type 74. VF, brown patina, porosity. Excellent style portrait with unusually sharp reverse. 
GERMANICUS, son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia
7667. CHOICE PORTRAIT BRONZE OF GERMANICUS, father of Caligula, AE As, HRIC 3 ($300-$1000). Germanicusí hd. r./Large SC. EF+. Choice example!
7668. RARE COIN OF GERMANICUS, AE 22 of BITHYNIA, NIKOMEDIA, RPC 2081. Struck by P. Pasidienus Firmus proconsul under Tiberius. Bare head Germanicus left. /4 line inscription within circular inscription. VF+. Rare and an excellent portrait of Germanicus.
AGRIPPINA SENIOR, mother of Caligula, wife of Germanicus
11124. AGRIPPINA SENIOR. Died AD 33. AE Sestertius (33mm, 22.31 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Gaius (Caligula), AD 40-41. AGRIPPINA • M • F • MAT • C • CAESARIS • AVGVSTI, draped bust of Agrippina, wearing her hair in waves and knotted in a club at the back, a single lock of hair falls free down neck / S • P • Q • R/MEMORIAE/AGRIPPINAE in three lines above and in left field, carpentum drawn left by two mules: the tilt rests on standing female figures, one at each of the three corners; the side shows four compartments with figures dancing(?) in the two lower, and stars in the two upper, wheel of eight spokes. RIC I 55 (Gaius); Trillmich Group I (unlisted dies); BMCRE 86-7 (Caligula); BN 128-9. Near EF, attractive green patina with some areas of red. Provenance: Triton XV, Collection of Princeton Economics acquired by Martin Armstrong. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 15 (18 May 1999), lot 290. A choice excellent style portrait and excellent detail in the carpentum as well. SOLD.
NERO (Nero Julius Caesar Germanicus c. AD 6-AD 30) AND DRUSUS (Drusus III, Drusus Julius Caesar, AD 7-AD 33) CAESARS, sons of Germanicus and Agrippina Senior, brothers of Caligula
13022. NERO and DRUSUS CAESARS, SPAIN, Caesaraugusta mint. Tiberius, with Nero and Drusus Caesares. AD 14-37. Æ As (27mm, 12.06 g, 3h). Nero and Drusus Caesares, duoviri. Laureate head of Divus Augustus right / Bare heads of Nero and Drusus facing one another. ACIP 3069; RPC I 343. Good VF, dark brown patina. A choice example with sharp portrait busts of Nero and Drusus caesars as well as a fine style bust of Tiberius. An interesting dynastic issue. Scarce. Provenance: Ex Vico 131 (9 October 2012), lot 507. Archer M. Huntington Collection, no. 07415. These two caesars are not the same persons as the later emperor Nero, and Drusus, the son of Tiberius, of the same names who are listed separately below. Nero and Drusus caesars were eventually accused of plotting against Tiberius and imprisoned. Drusus caesar was starved to death, at the end gnawing on his bedding to survive. Nero caesar was imprisoned on the island of Ponza and also either starved to death or forced to commit suicide.
CALIGULA [4], 37-41
8597. CALIGULA, 37-41. Sestertius. /Caligula, standing on a dais with curule chair or sella castrensis camp chair behind, extending right hand in a gesture of address. Five soldiers wearing crested helmets holding parazonia standards and shields stand before him listening. VF. Rare. Hole neatly plugged but still a wonderful portrait of Caligula and an excellent reverse scene. Before a battle or on parade, the emperor would address his troops in an event known as an adlocutio cohortium (address to the cohorts). This was an important opportunity for the emperor to be present among his troops to inspire morale. This sestertius was issued on the occasion of a donative for the Praetorian Guard and was the first to employ the adlocutio as a reverse type.
CAESONIA, fourth wife of Caligula, mother of Drusilla Minor
11289. CAESONIA, Struck under Gaius Caligula, Cn. Atellius Flaccus and Cn. Pompeius Flaccus, duoviri. AE As of Carthago, 39 AD, 29 mm, 11.94 g. Laureate head of Gaius Caligula right. / Draped bust of Caesonia as Salus right. Provenance: From the J.P. Righetti Collection, 6586. RPC I 185, SNG Copenhagen 503. Burgos 613. VF. 
DRUSILLA MINOR, daughter of Caligula and Caesonia
CAESONIA AND DRUSILLA MINOR. Struck by Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD). Mint of Caesarea Maritima. AE (18mm, 11.98 (incorrect weight) gm, 12h). [KAIΣΩNIA ΓYNH ΣYNH ΣE]BAΣTOY (Caesonia, wife of the emperor); head of Caesonia to l. / ΔPOYΣIΛΛH [ΘYΓATPI ΣEBAΣTOY] (for Drusilla the daughter of the emperor); LE (year 5 = 40/41 AD) in l. field; Drusilla (daughter of Caligula) stands l. with a branch over her shoulder, holding a small Victory. Hendin 1241. TJC 117. AJC II 247,3. RPC 4977. Samuels 60. Photo courtesy of Heritage Auctions. LOOKING FOR A BETTER EXAMPLE OF THIS COIN THAN THE ONE BELOW. PLEASE CONTACT US IF ONE IS AVAILABLE.
11396. CAESONIA AND DRUSILLA MINOR. Struck by Agrippa I (37 - 44 AD). Mint of Caesarea Maritima. AE (18mm, 4.82 g). [KAIΣΩNIA ΓYNH ΣYNH ΣEBAΣTOY] (Caesonia, wife of the emperor); head of Caesonia to l. / [ΔPOYΣIΛΛHΘYΓATPI ΣEBAΣTOY] (for Drusilla the daughter of the emperor); LE (year 5 = 40/41 AD) in l. field; Drusilla (daughter of Caligula) stands l. with a branch over her shoulder, holding a small Victory. Hendin 1241. TJC 117. AJC II 247,3. RPC 4977. Samuels 60. Poor. Very rare. 
DRUSILLA MAJOR AND JULIA LIVILLA (with AGRIPPINA JR.), sisters of Caligula, daughters of Germanicus and Agripinna Sr.
11104. CALIGULA (37 - 41) WITH HIS THREE SISTERS AGRIPPINA JR., DRUSILLA, AND JULIA LIVILLA. Sesterius, 37 - 38, Rome. 25.40 g. Obverse: Laureate head left. Reverse: Agrippina, Drusilla and Julia, the three sisters of Caligula as Securitas, Concordia and Fortuna, each standing facing holding a cornucopia, S C below. RIC 33. C. 4, BMC 36. CBN 48. Some smoothing to fields. EF, a beautiful example. Rare, especially this nice. SOLD.
CLAUDIUS [5], 41-54
10763. CLAUDIUS, 41-54. AE Sestertius (36mm, 28.36 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 50-54. Laureate head right / EX SC, P P, OB CIVES, SERVATOS in four lines within oak wreath. RIC I 112. Near EF, green patina. A choice fine style portrait of Claudius many of whose numismatic portraits are of lesser or provincial style. Scarce.
QUINTUS VERANIUS, governor of Lycia (43-48 AD) under Claudius, later governor of Britain in 57 AD.
11632. VERANIUS (under Claudius) Cibyra, RPC 2889. AE 18, 5.28 g. OUHRANIOS; bare head of Veranius? / KIBURATWN; temple with four columns. F. Very Rare. Provenance: Ex CNG. 
VALERIA MESSALINA, 3rd wife of Claudius, mother of Britannicus and Claudia Octavia, stepmother of Claudia Antonia
10809. MESSALINA with ANTONIA (Antonia Minor the deceased mother of Claudius), Augusta, AD 41-48. Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebia. AE (17mm, 4.97 g, 12h). Draped bust of Messalina right / Draped bust of Antonia right. Vagi 642, RPC I 3657; Sydenham -. Near VF, brown patina. Very Rare. 
11238. CLAUDIUS, MESSALINA, BRITANNICUS AND CLAUDIA OCTAVIA. Egypt, Alexandria mint. Claudius. AD 41-54. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.93 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 42/3). Laureate head right; L Γ (date) below chin / Messalina standing facing, head left, holding small figures of her children Britannicus and Claudia Octavia and grain ears; column to right. Koln 75; Dattari (Savio) 123; K&G 12.22; RPC I 5131. VF, toned. SOLD.
AGRIPPINA JR., sister of Caligula, niece and 4th wife of Claudius, mother of Nero
9429. EXCEPTIONAL PORTRAIT DENARIUS OF CLAUDIUS AND AGRIPPINA JR., 41-54 AD. AR Denarius, 50-54 AD, RIC 81. Laur. bust Claudius r./bust Agrippina Jr. right. VF+-EF. Agrippina was the wife of Claudius and may have had a hand in his death. Excellent portraits in high relief. Wonderful portrait of Agrippina. Rare and choice! 
11441. AGRIPPINA JR., Augusta, AD 50-59. AE Sestertius (37mm, 27.74 g, 6h). Uncertain Balkan mint. Struck under Claudius, AD 50-54. Draped bust right, hair in long plait / Carpentum left, drawn by two mules. RIC I 103 (Claudius); BMCRE pg. 195, note *; BN -; von Kaenel, "Britannicus, Agrippina Minor und Nero in Thrakien," SNR 63 (1984), type A. Fine, brown patina, roughness. Very rare and pretty good condition for this difficult issue. Sestertii and dupondii in the name of Agrippina Junior have been found localized in the Balkan region and were most likely struck at a local mint servicing the legions guarding the border. They can be distinguished from sestertii of Agrippina Sr. by the obverse legend AGRIPPINA AVG GERMANICI F CAESARIS AVG and the anepigraphic reverse. The lack of reverse legends on both the sestertius and dupondius, specifically the S C, would be in keeping with a provincial issue not issued under the nominal authority of the Roman Senate.
BRITANNICUS, son of Claudius by Messalina
11290. BRITANNICUS, AD 41-55, Smyrna, Ionia, son of Claudius and Messalina, 41-54 AD, (18mm, 3.55 g, 12h). Philistos and Eikadios, magistrates. Struck circa AD 50-54. Bareheaded and draped bust right / Nike advancing right, carrying trophy over shoulder. Klose Type XXXI; RPC I 2476 (Nero as Caesar, under Claudius); SNG Copenhagen 1351; SNG von Aulock 7995. EF, dark green patina, scattered roughness. Choice example with portrait of Britannicus rivaling that of his extremely rare sestertii. Provenance: From the Nera Collection.
CLAUDIA ANTONIA, daughter of Claudius and Aelia Paetina, half-sister of Britannicus and Claudia Octavia, niece of Sejanus, step-sister of Nero
11235. BRITANNICUS, CLAUDIA OCTAVIA AND CLAUDIA ANTONIA, AD 41-55. Mysia, Cyzicus mint. AE (12mm, 1.74 g, 12h). Bare head of Britannicus right / Confronted, draped busts of Antonia and Octavia. RPC I 2248. Good Fine, green and brown patina, porous. Rare.
CLAUDIA OCTAVIA, first wife of Nero, daughter of Claudius and Messalina, sister of Britannicus
11252. NERO AND CLAUDIA OCTAVIA, Egypt, Alexandria mint. AD 41-54. BI Tetradrachm (22mm, 13.13 g, 1h). Laureate head of Nero right / Draped bust of Claudia Octavia right; L E; (date) below chin. Koln 122; Dattari (Savio) 190; K&G 14.7; RPC I 5202. Near VF, toned. Scarce. Fine style portraits, especially that of Octavia.
NERO [6], 50-68, son of Agrippina Jr., adopted son of Claudius
10789. NERO, AD 54-68. AE (38mm, 24.15 g, 12h) of Rhodes, Caria. Radiate head right / Victory standing left on prow, holding wreath and palm frond; [rose] to lower left. RPC I 2772; SNG Keckman 769; SNG von Aulock 2859. VF, dark green patina. Scarce large, heavy AE of Nero. From the HLT Collection.
8600. NERO, 50-68. AR Denarius of 65/6 AD, Crawford 335. His laureate bust r./VESTA, statue within temple of Vesta. Choice EF. Excellent example with classic architectural reverse. See CNG 905768 in near identical condition which sold 9/11 for $3750. $1450
10437. NERO, EGYPT, Alexandria. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 13.13 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 (AD 66/7). Radiate bust left, wearing aegis; L IΔ (date) before / Galley sailing right. Koln 184-6; Dattari (Savio) 263; K&G 14.99 corr. (obv. legend); RPC 5296. VF, a bit porous.
7940. NERO, 54-68 AD. Sestertius,. /ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES, Annona stg. l., Ceres std. on r., prow behind. Refers to grain supply to Rome. EF. Choice example.
POPPAEA, Augusta, AD 62-65. Second wife of Nero, previously wife of Otho, d. 65 AD, mother of Claudia Neronis
A SPLENDID PORTRAIT OF POPPAEA 11449. NERO AND POPPAEA, Koinon of Galatia. AD 54-68. AE (26mm, 12.38 g, 2h). Struck circa AD 62-65. Laureate head of Nero right / Draped bust of Poppaea right. RPC 3562; SNG France 2400; SNG von Aulock 6117; SNG Copenhagen –. VF, brown patina. Provenance: From the Chiltern Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Groiup 66 (19 May 2004), lot 1217. One of the finest numismatic portraits of Poppaea known. Almost all coin portraits of Poppaea are of much poorer quality. And an excellent fine style portrait of Nero as well.
CLAUDIA NERONIS, Augusta AD 63, daughter of Nero by Poppaea, d. aged 3 months 63 AD
11338. CLAUDIA NERONIS, daughter of Nero and Poppaea. Struck AD 65-68 in Judaea, Caesarea Paneas under Agrippa II. Diva Poppaea and Diva Claudia. Died AD 65 and AD 63. JUDAEA, Caesarea Panias. Diva Poppaea and Diva Claudia. Died AD 65 and AD 63. AE (21mm, 5.33 g, 12h). Struck AD 65-68. Statue of Diva Poppaea seated left within distyle temple / Statue of Diva Claudia standing left within hexastyle temple. RPC I 4846; Meshorer 354; Meshorer, Caesarea, pl. 7, H; SNG ANS 858; Hendin 1270. VF, green patina with earthen deposits. A superior well centered example unusual in the clarity of the figures since almost all examples are quite worn. The obverse of this coin honors Poppaea, Nero's (and previously Otho's) wife. In January of AD 63 she gave birth to Claudia, who survived only four months. This is the only coinage issued in the name of Nero's daughter. According to Suetonius, Nero killed Poppaea, while pregnant with another child, by violently kicking her in the abdomen.
One thing that has always raised a question in my mind about this coin is that the statue supposedly of Claudia is clearly an adult woman rather than a 3 month old infant. In this superior example it seems to me that the figure is actually that of a mother holding an infant in her arms. Thus I think it likely the standing figure is that of Poppaea holding the infant Claudia, rather than just the infant Claudia herself as it is usually described in the literature. After all it seems highly unlikely that a 3 month old infant would be portrayed as an adult woman.
STATILIA MESSALINA, Augusta AD 66-68. Third wife of Nero
11354. STATILIA MESSALINA. Augusta, AD 66-68. Ionia, Ephesus mint. AE (19mm, 6.92 g, 1h). Draped bust right / Roma standing right, holding scepter and cult statue of Artemis. RPC I 2632. VF, some roughness. Very rare. SOLD.
THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD OF 68-69
VINDEX, 68
11156. CIVIL WAR. VINDEX, AD 68-69. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.43 g, 1h). Mint in Spain or Gaul. Bare head of Augustus right / Comet with eight rays. RIC I 92; AM A10; RSC 98a; Vagi 775. Near VF, porosity. Rare. Provenance: Property of Princeton Economics acquired by Martin Armstrong. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 1490.
CLODIUS MACER, 68
11125. CLODIUS MACER. Usurper, AD 68. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.34 g, 5h). Carthage mint. L CLODIVS MACER, bare head right; S C below neck / PRO/PRAE above, AFRICAE below, galley right, with twelve pairs of oars and seven oarsmen. RIC I 35 corr. (number of oarsmen) and 36; Hewitt group G/5, 53 var. (O-/R35 [unlisted obv. die]) = BMCRE 1; RSC 13. Fine, toned, numerous scratches on both sides, a few deeper scuffs on obverse. Extremely rare. Provenance: Triton XV, Collection of Princeton Economics acquired by Martin Armstrong. Ex Munzen & Medaillen Basel 86 (3 June 1998), lot 144; Auctiones 10 (12 June 1979), lot 581. Clodius Macer served as legatus Augusti propraetore Africae under Nero. As opposition to the emperor grew and the power of the central government dwindled, Macer acted as little more than a pirate, sweeping the north African coast in an attempt to increase his power by cutting into the grain supplies of Rome. Following Nero’s suicide in early June, he began striking denarii in his own name. All of Macer’s coins are of rather crude style, an indication of the lack of skilled die engravers and the haste at which they were produced. K.V. Hewitt ("The coinage of L. Clodius Macer (AD 68)," NC [1983], pp. 64-80) estimated the output of Macer’s coinage to have been in the range of 1 to 1 1/2 million denarii. The vast majority of coins, however, would have been melted down in antiquity, and Hewitt knew of only 71 total denarii in the name of Macer at the time of his study. Commentary courtesy CNG.
GALBA [7], 68-69
11443. GALBA, 68-69 AD. AE Sestertius, 27.51 g. circa July 68-January 69, Laureate head r. Rev. Legend within oak wreath. C 60. RIC–. BMC 62. Rare. Reddish-green patina gently smoothed on reverse, otherwise good very fine. A spectacular portrait of the finest style.
OTHO [8], 69
11009. OTHO, AD 69. Syria, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch mint. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 15.27 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 69). Laureate head right / Eagle standing left on opposed laurel branches, with wings displayed, holding wreath in beak; palm frond to left; ETOYC A (date) in exergue. RPC 4200; McAlee 315; Prieur 102. VF. Well centered on a broad flan. From the Sierra Collection. Ex Ponterio 117 (18 January 2002), lot 328. Excellent style portrait of this superior emperor who unfortunately lasted only three months.
VITELLIUS [9], 69
11444. VITELLIUS, January - December 69, Sestertius late April-December 69, AE 24.76 g. Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. Pax standing l., holding branch and cornucopiae. C 67. RIC 118. Very rare. A bold portrait struck in high relief, green patina gently smoothed, otherwise about extremely fine. Ex Coin galleries August, 2009, 4287 and Stack's January 2009, Golden Horn 2266. From the Golden horn collection.
LUCIUS VITELLIUS (Vitellius Pater), father of Vitellius
11436. VITELLIUS PATER, Vitellius and his father. 69 -, Denarius. Laureate head of Vitellius r. Rs: Diademed and draped bust of Lucius Vitellius, the emperor's father facing right: eagle scepter before. Crawford 2; R.I.C. 99. 2.95 g, scratches in fields. Near VF. Very rare.
VITELLIUS GERMANICUS AND VITELLIA, son and daughter of Vitellius
7274. VITELLIUS AND HIS CHILDREN, 69 AD. AR Denarius, Rome mint, RIC 101. Laur. hd. of Vitellius r., A VITELLIVS GERM IMP TR P/Bust of Vitellius' son Vitellius Germanicus on l. and daughter Vitellia on r., facing each other, LIBERI IMP GERMAN. Near VF. Very rare Vitellius dynastic issue with portraits of two of his children with excellent style portraits. Light iridescent toning.
JULIUS CIVILIS, rebel 69-70 (Looking for a coin of his. Please contact us if one is available.)
THE FLAVIANS, 69-96 AD
VESPASIAN [10], 69-79
11035. THE SEVEN HILLS OF ROME. VESPASIAN. AD 69-79. AE Sestertius (33mm, 25.37 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 71. Laureate bust right, wearing aegis / Roma seated right on the seven hills of Rome, propping head on hand and holding parazonium; to left, she-wolf and twins; to right, the River Tiber reclining left, holding reed. RIC II 108; BMCRE 774 (Tarraco mint, same dies); BN 523 (same dies); NAC 54, 361 (same dies). Fine, rough brown patina. Extremely rare - all known examples are struck from the same reverse die, indicating a very small output. A classic reverse type illustrating the myth of the founding of Rome. The figure of Roma represents the city of Rome built on the seven hills of Rome. Romulus and Remus were twin grandsons of the Trojan prince Aeneas who fled Troy after its fall. They were left to die floating in a basket on the Tiber river as infants but Tiberinus the deity of the river caused the basket to be caught on a reed. They were then saved by a she wolf who suckled them. Later they were found by a shepherd and raised by him and his wife. On maturity they went on to found the new city of Rome on the seven hills. This rare and interesting reverse portrays essentially the complete myth of the founding of Rome.
This reverse type was struck to celebrate the resurgent Rome. From AD 68-69 civil war took its toll, but Rome was victorious under the capable leadership of Vespasian. While Galba had claimed that Rome was reborn, Vespasian liked to think of Rome as resurgent and victorious. This issue was initially limited to sestertii alone in the first and second emissions.
6615. VESPASIAN. AE Sestertius. /Salus std. l. EF.
DOMITILLA THE ELDER, wife of Vespasian, mother of Titus and Domitian and Domitilla the younger. (No coins with her likeness)
10812. DIVA DOMITILLA SENIOR. Died before AD 69. AE Sestertius (33mm, 22.54 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 80-81. Carpentum drawn by two mules / Legend around large S C. RIC II 262 (Titus). Good Fine, green and brown patina, rough encrusted surfaces. Rare. The carpentum was an ornate Roman two wheeled carriage usually drawn by two mules. It was traditionally used in memorial processions in honor of deceased ladies of the imperial family as shown on this coin.
There has been considerable confusion about the coins of Domitilla Sr. and Domitilla Jr. but it appears that the sesterii were all struck for Domitilla Sr. and the denarii all for Domitilla Jr. Both the elder Domitilla (mother of Titus and Domitian) and the younger Domitilla (daughter of the elder and, so, sister of Titus and Domitian) died before Vespasian became emperor in AD 69. The title AVGVSTA on the denarii proves they must be assigned to the younger Domitilla because Martial attests that Domitian's sister was Augusta, whereas that title is never given to his mother. As to the date of issue, the fineness of denarii of at least the Fortuna reverse type proves that they must have been struck not under Titus, as traditionally thought, but between 82 and 85 when Domitian temporarily raised the fineness of his denarii from ~90% to ~98% (see I. Carradice, Coinage and Finance in the Reign of Domitian, p. 20). The Domitilla for whom Titus struck sestertii in 80-81, in contrast, was his mother, the elder Domitilla, as proven by the variant legend DOMITILLAE IMP CAES VESP AVG on some of these coins (such as this example), that is "For Domitilla, (wife) of the emperor Vespasian. Thus it appears there are no portraits or figures of Domitilla Sr. on Roman coins since her sesterii are all Carpentum types such as this one and there were no other issues struck for her.
DOMITILLA THE YOUNGER (Flavia Domitilla Minor, c. 45 - c. 66, Augusta posthumously), daughter of Vespasian and Domitilla the elder
10813. DOMITILLA THE YOUNGER. Died before AD 69. Fourree Denarius (18mm, 2.97 g, 7h). Draped bust right / Pietas seated left holding scepter; a child standing left before her. RIC II - (Titus 73 in the old RIC); RSC 4. VF, toned, minor breaks in the plating. All the known examples are plated hybrids like this one. Rare. At the age of fifteen, Domitilla Minor was married to Quintus Petillius Cerialis, with whom she had a daughter, the later Christian saint Flavia Domitilla. It is perhaps possible that the child shown on the reverse of this type which appears to be a girl could be Flavia Domitilla who later became a Christian saint for protecting Christians and Jews against persecution.
FLAVIA DOMITILLA III, (Christian Saint), granddaughter of Vespasian and Domitilla the elder, daughter of Domitilla the younger
10813. DOMITILLA THE YOUNGER WITH FLAVIA DOMITILLA III?. Died before AD 69. Fourree Denarius (18mm, 2.97 g, 7h). Draped bust right / Pietas seated left holding scepter; a child standing left before her. RIC II - (Titus 73 in the old RIC); RSC 4. VF, toned, minor breaks in the plating. All the known examples are plated hybrids like this one. Rare. At the age of fifteen, Domitilla Minor was married to Quintus Petillius Cerialis, with whom she had a daughter, the later Christian saint Flavia Domitilla III. It is perhaps possible that the child shown on the reverse of this type which appears to be a girl could be Flavia Domitilla III who later became a Christian saint for protecting Christians and Jews against persecution. Flavia Domitilla III was also the mother of Vespasian Jr. (see entry below) and Domitian Jr.
ANTONIA CAENIS, mistress and de facto 2nd wife of Vespasian
11023. VESPASIAN (69-79) WITH ANTONIA CAENIS? Denarius struck 71 AD. Ephesos. Obv: VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P. Laureate bust right. Rev: PACI ORB TERRA AVG. Draped female bust with mural-crown. RIC II 1433. RPC 835. Good VF. Weight: 2.8 gm. Diameter: 17 mm. Though not certain it is possible that the reverse bust is that of Vespasian's long term and very influential mistress Antonia Caenis. Caenis, a former slave and secretary of Antonia Minor (mother of the emperor Claudius), was the mistress of the Roman emperor Vespasian. It is believed that she was born in Istria, now in Croatia. Suetonius says that after the death of Vespasian's wife Flavia Domitilla c. 69 AD, Caenis was his wife in all but name until her death in AD 74. She had a remarkable memory and considerable influence on the emperor's administration, carried out official business on his behalf, and apparently made a lot of money from her position. However, she was treated with disrespect by Vespasian's son Domitian. Though certainly it would not have been appropriate in Rome itself it is quite possible such an influential and well loved lady would have been honored with her likeness on a coin portrait representing world peace at a provincial mint by Vespasian. The tradition of using likenesses of Imperial ladies to represent personifications on Roman coins is well documented. The fact that Domitian, who is said to have been disrespectful of Caenis, also issued a coin with the same reverse might seem to argue against this however it should be noted that this coin was also issued in 71 AD when Domitian was only Caesar and Vespasian still ruled Rome and controlled its coinage.
TITUS [11], 69-81
11398. TITUS, AD 79-81. AE Sestertius (35mm, 23.50 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 80-81. Laureate head left / Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising hem of skirt. RIC II 170. VF, dark green patina, edge split, light smoothing, cleaning marks on reverse. A splendid portrait.
JULIA TITI, daughter of Titus
8602. JULIA TITI, daughter of Titus. Dupondius, RIC.180, HRIC.5. Bust r. with hair in bun/Vesta std. with palladium & scepter. VF. Rare. Damnatio cuts across her face applied by someone in antiquity who obviously didn't like this 17 year old girl, but still a surprisingly beautiful and youthful likeness much better than the usual example. Another of this same beautiful style went for $40,000 in Triton XVIII.
DOMITIAN [12], 69-96
10513. DOMITIAN SESTERTIUS, AD 81-96. AE Sestertius (36mm - 25.42 g). Rome mint. Struck 90-1 AD. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XV CENS PER P P, laureate head right / IOVI VICTORI, SC in exergue, Jupiter seated left, holding Victory in outstretched right hand, scepter in left. RIC II 702; BMCRE 439; BN 476. Good VF, brown patina, some light roughness and very minor smoothing. Removed from an NGC holder in which it was photographed where graded XF, 4/3.
11157. DOMITIAN, As Caesar, AD 69-81. AE Sestertius (33mm, 23.24 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Titus, AD 80-81. Laureate head left / Minerva walking right, brandishing javelin and holding shield. RIC II 296 (Titus). VF, dark green patina, minor marks on reverse. Provenance: Property of Princeton Economics acquired by Martin Armstrong. Ex Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 50, 23 June 1999), lot 87. An exceptional very large and high profile portrait of fine style and facing left as well.
8603. DOMITIAN, 69-96 AD. Dupondius. /Mars walking l. with Victory and trophy. AEF. Scarce. Beautiful coin. $3250
JUDAEA CAPTURED BY THE ROMANS 11172. JUDAEA CAPTA SERIES. DOMITIAN, Caesar: 69-81 A.D. Emperor: 81-96 A.D. JUDAEA, Roman Administration. AD 81-96. AE (27mm, 16.23 g). Judaea Capta Series. Caesarea Maritima mint. Struck 92 CE. Radiate bust right, wearing aegis / Palm tree with date clusters hanging from either side. Meshorer 394; Hendin 1458; RPC II 2307. Good VF with an especially sharp EF palm tree, green and dark brown patina with some earthen highlights.
SOLD.
DOMITIA LONGINA, wife of Domitian
11212. DOMITIAN AND DOMITIA, AD 81-96 AE38 tetrassarion. Cilicia. Anazarbus mint. (38mm, 19.19g). Dated CY 113 (AD 94/5). Laureate bust of Domitian right, aegis at point of bust / Draped bust of Domitia left, wearing hair in elaborate coiffure with plait down back. RPC II 1752. Ziegler 95. VERY RARE. VF. Likely the largest numismatic portrait of Domitia the wife of Domitian. 
10175. DOMITIA, IONIA. EPHESUS. Domitia, wife of Domitian. Augusta, 82-96 AD. AE 21mm (5.27 g). In alliance with Smyrna. Caesennius Paetus, Proconsul, 91-95 AD. Draped bust of Domitia right / Two Nemeses standing facing one another. RPC II 1092; Franke-Nolle 220 (Vs. A/Rs. 45); SNG Copenhagen 545. Nice VF, mostly green patina, some light cleaning scratches around the devices. Rare. SOLD.
DEIFIED SON OF DOMITIAN, son of Domitian and Domitia who died while a boy
APPARENTLY THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE 11656. DOMITIA AND HER SON BY DOMITIAN, AR Denarius. Rome, AD 82-3. DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT, draped bust right, with hair massed in front and in long plait behind / DIVVS CAESAR IMP DOMITIANI F, Domitian's son as naked infant boy seated on a globe surrounded by seven stars. RIC 153. 3.49g, 19mm, 5h. Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, and so far as I know the finest known example.
Domitia was the daughter of the general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo, and wife of Domitian. It is attested that Domitia bore a daughter and then a son, whose name is unknown, and who died in his infancy. Domitian subsequently deified the boy, and the reverse type illustrates this with the legend DIVVS CAESAR IMP DOMITIANI F and the depiction of the boy seated on a globe surrounded by the seven stars of the Ursa Major. Shortly after this type was struck, in AD 83 there was a brief hiatus in the marriage when Domitian exiled Domitia for unknown reasons. Suetonius relates that Domitia's exile was a result of her affair with an actor named Paris, who was murdered on the orders of Domitian. Cf. Suetonius, Domitianus 3.
$45,000.
11024. DOMITIAN (81-96). Dupondius struck 86 AD. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XII CENS PER P P. Radiate bust right, wearing aegis. Rev: ANNONA AVG/ S C. Annona seated right, holding on lap by two ends a bag full of grain ears; in front of her stands a small boy left, also holding two ends of bag; in background on right, ship's stern left. RIC 477. VF. Weight: 10.2 gm. Diameter: 28 mm. While it is tempting to think the boy with Annona might be Domitian's son and the apparent age of the figure is consistent with the age Domitian's son would have been (around 13) when this coin was struck the identification is questionable since he is thought to have died much younger as he is depicted as a young child on the DIVI coins showing him entering the heavens. However it should be noted that these DIVI coins were probably not issued until around 83 - 85 (see below) or so when he would have been at least 10 - 12 so it is perhaps possible he died older and the DIVI depiction is merely an iconographic representation and the boy on this dupondius is actually the lost son of Domitian. It should be noted that Annona only rarely appears with a child on Roman coins and one wonders who or what this boy might represent if not Domitian's son. Domitian and his wife Domitia had two children, a daughter and a son both of whose names have been lost to history. It is known that the boy died while still young and some speculate his death may have been the cause of the temporary rift between Domitian and Domitia however there are better political as well as romantic explanations for that. Suetonius says that the son was born during Vespasian's reign, in 73 AD, but his consecration doubtless took place only after Domitian's accession to the throne in 81. The consecration must have occurred early in the reign, since an aureus and denarius depicting him were struck at the elevated standard which Domitian introduced in mid-82 but reduced again in 85. One of the types in which the deified Caesar is seated among the stars refers to the Roman belief that consecrated humans became stars in the heavens when they died. It is accepted that the son appears on several coins of Domitia and at least one of Domitian (though that may be a mule of a Domitian obverse with a Domitia reverse) issued only slightly earlier than this dupondius, thus it is reasonable though not at all certain to assume that the child who appears here could also be the same child.
Throughout the course of Imperial Roman coinage seven children were honored posthumously, with five of them being presented as gods. One of these divine children was the infant son born to Domitia, the wife of Domitian. The boy is certainly represented on four known rare issues: denarii of Domitia with him seated on the globe of the Earth raising his hands to the stars of Heaven, denarii of Domitian with the same reverse, denarii of Domitia inscribed PIETAS AVGVST that have him standing before Domitia in the guise of Pietas and sestertii of Domitia with a similar scene but inscribed DIVI CAESAR MATRI or DIVI CAESARIS MATER.
$950
VESPASIAN JUNIOR, adopted son and heir apparent of Domitian
11691. VESPASIAN JR., IONIA, Smyrna. Caesar, AD ?-95/6. AE (17mm, 2.75 g, 12h). Bare head right / Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm frond. Klose Type XLII, Serie A, Gruppe a, 1 (V1/R1); RPC I 1028. VF, brown surfaces, minor roughness. Extremely rare. RR! Only a few examples known, this one of the best. After Domitian's own son died in 82 AD a successor to the throne was lacking. In order to have heirs for his title, Domitian adopted two sons of his cousin Flavius Clemens and Flavia Domitilla III (see entry above) who were his great-nephews. They were renamed Vespasianus and Domitianus. Vespasianus Jr. was originally named Titus Flavius Domitianus. However he soon realized that having potential heirs meant a potential rival and possible assassination. So he had their father Flavius Clemens executed in 95 AD and their mother Domitilla III banished and the two boys either killed or exiled though their exact fate is unknown. This act recoiled on him as he was soon murdered by Stefanus, the steward of Flavia Domitilla III. There are no known coins bearing a name or portrait for Domitian Jr., and only this single issue for Vespasian Jr. Provenance: The W.B. and R.E. Montgomery Collection.
VARIA
8590. RARE LEGIONARY OFFICER'S COIN PURSE, c. 1st-2nd century AD. To avoid loss of coin Roman officers put their coins in these purses, probably wrapping the body with leather, then slipped the purse over their arm where the arm secured the opening. 4.5 x 5 inches. An historically and numismatically significant artifact that is rarely offered. In excellent condition with engraved designs on the handle. This is a rare earlier more substantial style of heavy metal. The few others I've seen on the market are later and of thinner metal.
