Description
Denomination: Copper As
Period: Roman imperial. Flavian Dynasty
Date: AD 90-91
Origin: Rome mint
Condition: Very fine
Obverse: Laureate head to right. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XV CENS PER PP
Reverse: Moneta standing facing. head to left. holding scales and cornucopia. S-C across field. MONETA AVGVSTI
Size and Weight: 28mm. 11.49g
References: RIC II.2 708
Features and Provenance: Domitian was the last of the Flavian dynasty. He was born in AD 51. the son of Vespasian and the younger brother to Titus. He became emperor in 81 and ruled with an iron fist. he was particularly cruel to his enemies and he is known to have executed some 30 senators. This put him at odds with the Senate who considered him a tyrant. so much so that there were plots to assassinate him. One such plot succeeded and he was murdered in 96. The Senate were quick to try to obliterate him from history by ‘condemning his memory to oblivion;’ tearing down statues and architectural features that bore his name.
Moneta or Juno Moneta was the Roman goddess of protection of funds and has given her name to the modern words money and monetisation. In ancient Rome. the coinage was struck in the Temple of Juno and a legend tells of when Gallic warriors tried to attack Rome in 390 BC. the sacred geese of the temple made so much noise they alerted the citizens so they could defend themselves. In thanks. Juno was given the epithet Moneta. Moneta is thought to have arisen from the Latin ‘monere’. to ‘warn’ and this would be supported by this tale.
The love of money for some in Whitburn was too great to overcome temptation. They shall meet with Iustita and Hera in the fullness of time.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades in between
Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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