Domitian. As Caesar, AD 69-81. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 26.88 g, 7h). Uncertain eastern mint (Thrace?). Struck under Titus, AD 80-81. Superb EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 50.
Closing Date: May 19 2026 11:00 ET

The PLZ Collection, Bronze

Estimate: $ 5 000

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Domitian. As Caesar, AD 69-81. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 26.88 g, 7h). Uncertain eastern mint (Thrace?). Struck under Titus, AD 80-81. CAES DIVI AVG VESP F DOMITIANVS COS VII, laureate head right / S C across field, Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak over left shoulder, advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and trophy over left shoulder in left. RIC II 509 (Titus); RPC II 505; A. Burnett, "Regional Coinage in Thrace and Bithynia during the Flavian Period" in Travaux Le Rider, pl. 8, 1; H. Cahn, "An Imperial Mint in Bithynia" in INJ 8 (1984-5), 5; BMCRE –; BN 326 (Titus). An exceptional coin. Superb EF. Very rare.

From the PLZ Collection. Ex Roma II (2 October 2011), lot 631.

Struck when Domitian was Caesar during the brief reign of Titus, the reverse type of Mars, the Roman god of war, is an interesting choice. It is also interesting from the standpoint that several major events had just occurred which certainly had nothing to do with war: The Colosseum had been completed and opened to 100 days of spectacular games, Mount Vesuvius had erupted destroying much of the area around the bay of Naples, and a second great fire had broken out in Rome. According to some accounts, Titus had promised his brother Domitian an essentially joint reign, but, in reality, he was given no major office or authority. Other than the series of denarii issued jointly with symbols of the Gods (proposed as both a reference to the opening of the Colosseum or in deference to the Gods after Vesuvius eruption), there was but a single issue of importance to the affairs of state minted for Domitian – this being the very rare Colosseum sestertius. So, here we have a type related to war that seemingly has little to do with the events of the time when it was minted. A rather odd choice but perhaps understandable given the desperate need for Domitian to place himself on equal foot with Vespasian and Titus.

The example offered here is an incredible coin. Its previous auction appearance has it described as “A beautiful imperial bronze of impressive proportions and stunning detail.” Indeed it is. The surfaces are amazingly clean for a coin of this size. This is without a doubt the finest example of its type known to exist.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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