Vespasian Junior

291, Lot: 209. Estimate $300. Sold for $400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Smyrna. Vespasian Junior. Caesar, AD ?-95/6. Æ (16mm, 2.81 g, 12h). Bare head right / Nike advancing right, holding palm and wreath. Klose Type XLII; RPC II 1028. Fair, green patina. Very 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.