335, Lot: 470. Estimate $300. Sold for $650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 25.77 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck AD 86. Laureate bust right, with aegis / Domitian, togate, standing right, clasping hands over lighted altar with officer (Agricola?) standing left; behind, from left to right, soldier holding standard, another, wearing animal-skin headdress, holding aquila, and another, wearing crested helmet, holding spear and rectangular shield. RIC II 473. Near VF, brown surfaces, roughness. Rare.

In AD 85, Moesia, a Roman province, was being invaded by the Daci. Seriously defeated by the Daci, the Roman army responded by bringing nine legions to Moesia to defend against them. This reverse type depicts the concordia between Domitian and his army. The oath of allegiance is recalled and reaffirmed by the handshake over the lighted altar.