Domitian AE Diassarion Antioch AD 81-96

Domitian AE Diassarion (22mm 7.66g) Antioch AD 81-96

Obv: ΔOMITIANOC KAICAP CEBACTOC ΓEPMANKOC (Domitian Caesar Augustus Germanicus) Laureate head right (Inscriptions start at 12 o'clock)

Rev: EΠIMEAH TI KA AΓΛAOY ΦPOYΓI ANTIOXE (under the supervision of Tiberius Claudius Aglaos Frugi, of the Antiochians) Dionysus standing, left, leaning on columns, holding cantharus and thyrsus; to left, panther

RPCII 1218 Cop. 49
ex. Q.A.C Auctions Elias Demetriou

This is an awesome piece of history! This coin is a Roman Provincial coin, which means it wasn't minted in Rome to be used by everyone in the empire. Instead, it was made locally in Antioch (a massive, bustling ancient city in what is now Turkey/Syria) for the people living there to use in their everyday shopping.

Let's break down exactly what you are looking at on this coin, side by side.

The Front (Obverse): The Emperor’s Power Trip

The front features a portrait of the Roman Emperor Domitian, looking to the right and wearing a laurel wreath (the ultimate ancient symbol of victory and status).

The Greek lettering around his head reads:

ΔOMITIANOC KAICAP CEBACTOC ΓEPMANKOC

(Domitianos Kaisar Sebastos Germanikos)

• Domitianos Kaisar: Domitian Caesar.
• Sebastos: This is the Greek version of the Latin title Augustus, meaning "revered" or "majestic."
• Germanikos: A proud title he took after fighting Germanic tribes up north. He loved boasting about this!

The Back (Reverse): Party Time with Dionysus

While the front is all about political power, the back is all about local culture. It features Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, theater, and having a good time! He is standing, leaning casually against a column, holding a cantharus (a big, two-handled wine cup) and a thyrsus (a giant staff topped with a pinecone). Down by his feet, there is a little panther, an animal traditionally associated with him.

The text on the back is super interesting because it acts like a time-stamped signature:

EΠIMEAH TI KA AΓΛAOY ΦPOYΓI ANTIOXE

(Epimeleia Tiberiou Kladiou Aglaou Phrougi Antiocheon)

• The Translation: "Under the supervision of Tiberius Claudius Aglaos Frugi, of the Antiochians."
• Who is that? Tiberius Claudius Aglaos Frugi was the local mayor or mint official in charge of making sure the coin was made correctly. Putting his name on it was a way to guarantee its value—and get a little fame for himself!