Aureus of Domitian - Roman Coins Replica
Aureus of Domitian
Emperor Vespasian had this coin struck for his son Domitian.
The obverse shows the head of Domitian with a laurel wreath and the inscription CAESAR AVG(usti) F(ilius) - DOMITIANVS. Translation: "Caesar Domitian, son of Augustus (Vespasian)".
The reverse shows a cornucopiae with the inscription COS - IIII (= fourth consulate of Domitian). The cornucopiae symbolises wealth and prosperity guaranteed by the imperial house.
Minted in Rome in 76 AD
Material: Tin alloy with gold plating.
All coin replicas were cast from originals. They are available individually or in various sets.
Surviving prices for the 1st and 2nd century
1 aureus = 25 denarii,
1 denarius = 25 sestertii,
1 sestertius = 2 dupondii,
1 Dupondius = 2 Ass.
A pig costs 75 denarii
"Pecunia non olet!" - Money does not stink
Emperor Vespasian had taken over from his predecessor Nero a state that was almost bankrupt.
Vespasian reorganised the public budgets with great success. His ingenuity in increasing state revenues was great. Among other things, he introduced a tax on public latrines. When his son Titus objected to this, he held some coins from the tax revenue under his nose and asked if this smell bothered him. Titus had to concede that the money did not stink: Pecunia non olet.
The saying has survived to this day to justify the possession of money from dubious sources of income. from dubious sources of income. The public toilets in Paris are still called "Vespasienne" today. In Italy, too, the public toilets are called "Vespasiani".