103293 | FRANCE. Domitian copper Medal.

103293  |  FRANCE. Domitian copper Medal. Issued 1968 (68mm, 223.50 g, 3h). Imitating a sestertius from circa 95/6 CE.

 

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVII CENS PER P P, laureate and draped bust right // Two-doored triumphal arch surmounted by two elephant-driven quadrigae; S - C across field. Edge: «cornucopia» CUIVRE 1968 No. 180/500.

 

Gem Mint State. Deep brown surfaces, with some hints of green around the devices.

 

Part of a series of ancient coins struck in much larger, medallic form by the Paris mint in the mid 1960s to early 1970s, these examples serve as direct analogs to renaissance issues like Paduans and Cavinos, which themselves were fairly faithful imitations of ancient coinage. Here, the coin celebrated is a rare sestertius (RIC 796) dating to Domitian's 17th consulship (95/6 CE), which led up to his assassination. The reverse depicts a rather fantastic arch that is still not fully known, though it may well be the same as that mentioned in an epigram of the Latin poet Martial (Ep. 8.65).

 

Upload: 3 November 2025.