Very Rare Issue for Vespasian Junior

Sale: CNG 78, Lot: 1307. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2008.  Sold For $2150. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Smyrna. Vespasian Junior. Caesar, AD ?-95/6. Æ 15mm (2.83 g, 12h). Bare head right / Nike advancing right, holding palm and wreath. RPC 1028; Klose XLII, 5 (V2/R4). VF, black-green patina, areas of light porosity, antique scrape on obverse. Extremely rare.

One of the greatest problems facing Domitian toward the end of his reign was the lack of an heir – a problem which he solved by adopting two of his great-nephews, the sons of his niece, Domitilla. Possibly fearing the legitimacy of rival heir Titus Flavius Clemens, nephew of Vespasian and husband of Domitilla, Domitian exiled Flavius along with his wife to Pandateria on charges of atheism. As nothing further is recorded about either adopted heir, it can be assumed that both were punished in some way for the supposed crimes of their parents.