Domitian AR Denarius

Domitian as Caesar AR Denarius 80-81 CE

(18mm 3.06g)

Obv: Head laureate right; CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII

Rev: Minerva advancing right with spear and shield; PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS

RIC 268 [TITUS] BMC 86; RSC 381a

This coin is part of the Westbury Sub Mendip hoard of 188 Roman silver denari, found during 2016 by a metal detectorist.

Purchased July 1 2020 from Silbury Coins

This coin is a bit of a departure for me. As a type it is not a rare coin. However, appearances can be deceiving. This coin is special because it is a recorded example of a hoard coin. The following is from Silbury Coins:

“This coin is part of the Westbury Sub Mendip hoard of 188 Roman silver denari, found during 2016 by a metal detectorist, the hoard was subject of an archaeological excavation and was declared Treasure under The Treasure Act. With no museum wishing to acquire the coins they were returned to the finder and made available to private collectors by us.”

I find it fascinating that we know exactly where this coin was found. The status of this coin as a hoard coin adds another story to the history of this coin.

Also I find that the type is interesting anyway. This is an early appearance of Minerva on coins of Domitian when he was Caesar. Minerva would come to dominate the reverse types for Domitian during his rule as Augustus.

I am very happy to add this coin to my collection.