Domitia, wife of Domitian
Aureus 88-89 (?), AV 21 mm, 7.71 g. DOMITIA AVG IMP DOMITIAN AVG GERM Draped bust r. Rev. CONCORDIA – AVGVST Peacock r. C 4. BMC Domitian 249. RIC Domitian 678. CBN Domitian 217 (this obverse die). Calicó 946a (this obverse die). Extremely rare and in superb condition for this difficult issue. A magnificent portrait of excellent style struck in high relief on a very broad flan. An unobtrusive area of weakness on obverse, otherwise good extremely fine

Though Domitian's wife Domitia hailed from a most distinguished line – her father was the famous Neronian general Corbulo – her reputation was no better than her husband's: she was considered boastful, especially of her misdeeds, and was branded a frequent adulterer. Her most famous affair, with an actor named Paris, caused Domitian to exile her and to execute him. He quickly replaced her with his niece Julia Titi, with whom he had been infatuated for years, only to recall Domitia after Julia Titi died in 90 or 91. Their renewed relationship must have been less than satisfying, because within five or six years she joined a plot to murder Domitian, which was successful in the fall of 96. To collectors of Roman coins the peacock – the familiar of the goddess Juno – is a type frequently employed by empresses. The admiration of the peacock was nothing new even in Roman times, for it is said that upon reaching India Alexander the Great was so impressed with the variety and beauty of the plumage on this stately bird that he forbade killing them under the severest penalty. Though the Romans also held the bird in high esteem, they had no objections to eating the bird or its eggs. Although the peacock became commonplace on coins of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, especially as a symbol for the deified empresses, it was inaugurated by the Flavians on issues struck for Domitia and Julia Titi. A point of some interest is that on the issues Domitian struck for his wife Domitia the peacock is shown in profile with its tail feathers gathered, whereas on the issues he struck for his niece Julia Titi, the peacock is shown facing with its tail in full splendour.