Ancient Rome - 81-96 CE Domitian AV Aureus NGC Choice F

Domitian, as Caesar (CE 81-96). AV Aureus (7.10 gm). NGC Fine 5/5 - 4/5, edge marks. Rome, AD 75. Obverse: CAES AVG F-DOMIT COS III, laureate head of Domitian right. Beaded border. Reverse: PRINCEPS-IVVENTVT, Spes-Fortuna walking left, flower upward in right hand, raising hem of stola with left. References: RIC II.1 787 (Vespasian). C. 374. BMCRE 155 (Vespasian). Calicó 912.

The columns of the Temple of Spes in the Forum Holitorium were incorporated into the San Nicola in Carcere Church of Rome.

Spes was the goddess of hope in the ancient Roman religion. Several temples devoted to Spes are known,  and inscriptions tell us that she received private devotion as well as a state cult. During the Roman Republic, a temple to "ancient Hope" (Spes vetus) was alleged to have been situated near the Praenestine Gate. Scholars suspect that it was only a private shrine to Spes. However, there is a well-documented temple of Spes that was constructed by Aulus Atilius Calatinus along with Fides, the result of vows (vota) offered to these goddesses during the First Punic War. In 110 BC, there was a temple built to the triad of Spes, Fides, and Fortuna at Capua. Specs was among the divine personifications in the Imperial cult of the Virtues. Spes Augusta was Hope associated with ability of the emperor as Augustus to guarantee blessed conditions.