CAPPADOCIA. Caesaraea-Eusebia. Domitian, 81-96. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 27 mm, 14.21 g, 12 h), T. Pomponius Bassus, legatus Augusti pro praetore Galatiae et Cappadociae, 95/6-99/100, RY 15 = 95/6. AYTO KAI ΔOMITIANOC CЄBACTOC ΓЄPMA Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. ЄΠI TIT ΠOΠ BACCOY ΠPЄCBЄY ЄT IЄ Mount Argaios surmounted by statue of Sol-Helios, radiate, holding globe in his right hand and long scepter in his left. RPC II 1387 var. (differing reverse legend arrangment). Stumpf 439. Beautiful earthen highlights on an attractive dark patina. Minor cleaning marks, otherwise, good very fine.


T. Pomponius Bassus was a suffect consul in 94 before being appointed as governor of the important province of Galatia and Cappadocia in 95. He had been a legate of Trajan's father in 79/80, which may have helped him advance his career under Nerva and Trajan. Bassus is the addressee of Pliny's Epistula 4.23, in which Pliny greets the then retired politician and compliments him for remaining mentally and physically active.