Domitian AR Denarius 81 CE (First Issue)

Domitian, Denarius, 81 Rome

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

Rev: Dolphin coiled around anchor.,TR P COS VII

RIC:2,(R)

Purchased from Numiscorner on Vcoins

February 23, 2019

Here is an interesting coin. It is an early Domitian as Augustus issue. The 4 groups of coins in the first issue were minted in the first 3.5 months of Domitian's rule. What is interesting about this one is not the titles that are present but what is absent. The only titles here are TR P, IMP and COS. Notice that PP is nowhere to be seen. This means that group 1 denarii such as this must have been issued first of all 4 groups of 81 CE. This was not an easy coin to find. I have RIC 3 and RIC 3 Var, but these were my only group 1 denarii until now. Coins of this group are not as rare as group2 and group 3 denarii.

There are a few things I really like about this coin. First, the portrait has a very engaging style. Next, the reverse has really interesting devices. Lastly, the wear does not distract too much from the appeal of the coin. Although worn, I bought this coin because I did not know when I would see another. I would rather have a worn coin than no coin at all.