Domitian AR Denarius 88-89 CE Third Issue

Domitian AR Denarius 88-89 CE

19mm., 2,83g.

Obv: Head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VIII

Rev:Minerva stg. L with spear; IMP XVIII COS XIII CENS PPP

RIC 666 (R2) BMC—RSC--

Purchased from Savoca auctions June 23, 2019

In 88 CE Domitian was fighting a series of battles. As a result Imperial acclamations for Domitian changed rather rapidly. According to hoard evidence cited in RIC coins from IMP XVIII may have been struck for as few as 38 days. Elsewhere on this blog I posted RIC 655 which was IMP XVI and might have been struck for only 7-8 days.

As a result this coin is rather rare. RIC cites it as R2-very few examples known. I know the coin is rather worn, but when a rarity appears one sometimes has to take what one can get. As stated in the attribution this coin is not in BMCRE or RSC.

I love finding these rarities. The complex legends mean that one has to pay close attention of every detail on these coins. Coins like this one are frequently misattributed.