Thursday, July 24, 2014

A Fine Styled Domitian

Early in 88 a remarkable series of rare issues were struck. The mark of these issues were the full spelling of GERMANICVS (also GERMANIC) on the obverse, and the reverse featuring short legends written across the field. The flans are normally large and the style quite fine. Perhaps this exceptional series is commemorative in nature: the year was full of military activity and of course the Saecular Games were held. Unusually, the TR P and IMP numbers are missing from the issue.

This denarius has all the hallmarks of this quality issue. A real beauty in hand. Same dies as the BM specimen (RIC II plate coin).

Domitian RIC-569
AR Denarius
Rome mint, 88 AD
RIC 569 (R), BMC 140, RSC 26a
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERMANIC COS XIIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: CENS P P P across field; Minerva stg. l., with spear (M4)


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