Domitian Denarius 81 CE

Domitian

A.D. 81

AR Denarius

(18x19) mm (3.2) g

Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; laureate head right.

Rev: COS VII DES VIII P P; Seat, draped; above, semicircular triangular frame decorated with three crescents.

RIC II Rome 32 (R)

Purchased from Victor Clark January 19,2018

Minted in 81 CE just weeks after Domitian assumed the title of Augustus, this coin is pat of a rare issue of denarii. While group 2 denarii are extremely rare, group 3 denarii are not very much more common. As a group 3 denarius this coin while rare is definitely not the rarest of the group. It is still however a very difficult coin to find if you want one.

The reverse legend reads "COS VII DES VIII PP". For group 2 denarii the legend reads "PP COS VII DES VIII". Translated it states Pater Patriae (father of the country) consul for the seventh time and designated to be consul for the eighth time.

At this time Domitian's titles were being added very quickly and this is reflected on the legends of the coins. I wanted one of these coins with the "VII DES VIII" legend because it shows how quickly the titles were changing.

Though the coin could be in better condition, I have only seen a few others so I grabbed it when it appeared for sale.