Domitian AR Denarius 81 CE (Group 1) RIC 2

Domitian, Denarius, 81 Rome (Group 1)

(18.32mm 3.11g)

Obv: Laureate head of Domitian right., IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG

Rev: Dolphin coiled around anchor.,

RIC: 2 (R); BMC 3 RSC 551

Purchased from Numiscorner on Vcoins

February 23, 2019

This is a group 1 denarius of Domitian. It was struck very early in the reign of Domitian.Titus died rather suddenly, some even believe Domitian had a hand in this. Whatever the truth one thing is clear, this sudden death was going to affect operations in the mint. One thing that rulers often do to support the legitimacy of their reign is to mint coins. Note here that the reverse on this coin was also used by Titus previously. Perhaps Domitian was sending a message to Romans that the happy days experienced under Titus would continue under his rein as well. Remember also that Domitian did not just use this type, he reused many of the reverses types from the coinage of Titus.

Note that Domitian is using the bare minimum of titles on the coin, there is no PONT or PM for example. Domitian would add to these titles and these would appear on subsequent denarii. file some collector because The interesting thing about the first year denarii is the use of titles. For example we see TR P used on the reverse. However, on the group 3 denarii TR P is missing. Since TR P would have been active as soon as he became emperor the TR P cannot be missing because these coins are earlier than the group 1 denarii. So why is it missing? I have never read a satisfactory explanation for this.

Yes this coin is rare but not horribly so. So might see 1-2 come auction every year or so. If you want one grab it the you see it. There is some good competition for this type. Domitian'a denarii seem to baffle some collectors because of the small differences in legend for example that can make these very painstaking to attribute. Myself' I love doing the attributions. I have a lot of fun with it.