Domitian, Rome mint, 85 AD.,
Æ As (25-26 mm / 8,97 g),
Obv.: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P , laureate head of Domitian right, wearing aegis.
Rev.: S - C , Victoria flying left, holding in her lowered r. hand small round shield inscribed SP / QR.
new RIC 388 ; old RIC 192, 302a ; BN III, 290, 377 ; Coh. 468 ; BMC 375, 355 .
This reverse type, Victory holding a small, round shield, records the awarding of the clupeus virtutis, the shield of valor, to the emperor.
Originally coins with the clupeus virtutis were struck in celebration of the Senate's award of the 'clupeus virtutis' of Augustus for the legions' success in Persia and Armenia.
Augustus was given an honorary shield called the clupeus virtutis, the shield of virtue, in 27 BC., a few years after Actium.
On the clupeus virtutis was inscribed the following (original lost, text taken from one of several copies):
SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS IMP CAESARI DIVI AUGUSTO COS VIII DEDIT CLUPEUM VIRTUTIS CLEMENTIAE IUSTITIAE PIETATIS ERGA DEOS PATRIAMQUE
"The senate and the Roman People dedicated to the emperor Augustus, son of the divine Caesar the shield for virtue, clemency, justice, and piety towards the gods and his native land".
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