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Aureus - Domitian GERMANICVS COS XV, Minerva

Issuer Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD)
Year 90-91
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Shape Round (irregular)
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Obverse description Laureate bust of Emperor Domitian facing right, rendered with fine portraiture detail typical of Flavian imperial coinage. The emperor's hair is arranged in the characteristic curled style of the period, with the laurel wreath clearly defined around the head. The draped shoulder is visible at the bust truncation. The circumferential legend reads DOMITIANVS AVGVSTVS, distributed across the upper and lower field, framed by a beaded border. The die work reflects the high artistic standard of the Rome mint under the Flavian dynasty.
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Obverse lettering DOMITIANVS AVGVSTVS
(Translation: Domitian, emperor (Augustus))
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Additional information

The COS XV designation dates this aureus precisely to Domitian's fifteenth consulship, held in 90–91 AD — a period immediately following the Chattan and Dacian campaigns for which the Senate, under considerable duress, awarded him the title Germanicus. That title was controversial; ancient sources, particularly Tacitus, questioned whether the German victories were genuine triumphs or dressed-up diplomatic settlements. Domitian didn't care. He wore the laurel wreath at public dinners and forced the Senate to ratify the honors regardless.

Calicó 841 is among the better-documented die groupings for this type, though specimens vary noticeably in flan quality.

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