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Denarius - Domitian COS IIII, Minerva
| Issuer | Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
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| Year | 76-77 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Hammered |
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| Obverse description | Laureate bust of Domitian facing right, depicted as a young prince with bare neck and shoulders, the wreath of laurel rendered in fine relief. The portrait displays the characteristic Flavian physiognomy, with a strong jaw and prominent brow. The encircling Latin legend identifies him as Caesar, son of Augustus, running from left to right around the periphery of the flan. The strike is somewhat off-center, with portions of the legend weak at the edges, consistent with hand-hammered production on an irregular flan. |
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| Reverse description | Minerva, helmeted and draped, stands facing right upon the prow of a galley (rostrum), her right arm raised and extended forward brandishing a spear, her left arm holding a large round shield resting against her side. A small owl, the sacred attribute of the goddess, stands to the right at her feet on the prow. The composition is rendered in a bold, slightly schematic style typical of Flavian denarii, with the figure occupying the full height of the reverse field. The abbreviated consular legend appears in the field, attesting Domitian's fourth consulship. |
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| Additional information |
This denarius dates to Domitian's tenure as consul for the fourth time, issued while he was still heir apparent under Vespasian — a period when his coinage served partly to keep his name in public circulation ahead of an inheritance that was hardly guaranteed. Titus stood between him and the throne, and the relationship between the brothers was notoriously poor. Domitian used his consular issues to cultivate an independent political profile.
RIC II.1 920 is among the better-documented Flavian reverse types, attributable with confidence to the Rome mint under Vespasian's monetary administration rather than Domitian's own later issues as emperor.