![ROMAN. Domitian, Aureus, 'COS V' [ARI-190] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/190-3.jpg)
Description
Roman Empire, Titus Flāvius Domitiānus (Domitian), as Caesar of the Flavian Dynasty under Vespasian 69-79 AD, Gold Aureus (7.10g, 19mm), Rome mint 77-78 AD. Obverse: Laureate head of Domitian facing to the right, legend surrounds, “CΛESΛR ΛVG F DOMITIΛNVS”. Reverse: Defeated Parthian warrior kneels to the right, presenting legionary militaria signa, exergual-ground line below, “COS V” in exergue. Sear-2620; RIC-959 Vespasian; Cohen-48. An attractive piece with a portrait of quite fine style with typical angular features of the Flavian emperors; the military theme on the reverse, a scene which likely commemorates the supposed ‘victory’ over Parthia during the reign of Nero with the Treaty of Rhandeia, all the more bolsters the desirability and collectability of the offered piece, details Very Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads unabridged as “Caesar, Augusti filius, Domitiānus”, with an English translation of “Caesar, Son of the Augustus, Domitian”. The reverse Latin legend continues from the obverse and reads “cōnsul quīntum”, with an English translation of “Consul for a fifth term”.
This gold Aureus was struck at the time of Domitian’s fifth appointment as Consul in 77 AD, hence the title of ‘cōnsul quīntum’ – interestingly, of the six total consulships Domitian held during his life, Domitian’s second appointment in 73 AD was his only ‘ordinary’ Consulship, the five others were the less prestigious, ‘suffect’ position. Despite the distinction, each appointment were nonetheless recorded on his coinage, which explains why his later titulature as seen here.
