Dupondius - Domitian CERES AVGVST S C, Ceres

Struck in 79 AD, the year Vespasian died and Domitian's brother Titus assumed power — the same year Vesuvius buried Pompeii. Domitian held no imperial office at the time, issuing this piece under Titus's reign as Caesar designate, a position that granted him minting authority without actual rule. The Ceres type on dupondii of this period was closely tied to grain supply ideology, particularly pressing after the eruption disrupted agricultural production across Campania.