This Domitian dupondius interests me for several reasons. Yes, it's rare (that's not the interesting part) and it's also from a mystery mint (of interest, but not the main reason). Personally, what I find most intriguing is the obverse legend. Titus issued this same type with the same obverse legend, the only thing the mint master changed upon Domitian's accession was one letter and the consular date. Even the reverse is the same. How many times did this happen between one emperor and his successor? Not many I wager. Domitian Æ Dupondius, 12.14g Eastern Mint (Thrace?), 81 AD RIC 833 (R). BMC 513. RPC 528. Obv: IMP D CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VII; Head of Domitian, radiate, bearded, r. Rev: ROMA; S C in exergue; Roma std. l. on cuirass, with wreath and parazonium Ex eBay, July 2019. An unidentified Eastern mint struck aes coinage for Titus between 80-81 and then for Domitian in 81-82. The style (heavily seriffed letters, large portraits, and massive reverse figures), unique obverse legends, and uncommon fabric (flat, almost convex flans) all suggest a mint other than Rome. Attributing exactly where these coins were struck has historically been a moving target - Mattingly in BMCRE thought Lugdunum, H.A. Cahn believed somewhere in Bithynia. More recent scholarship has looked towards Thrace as a possible location for production based on the Balkan distribution pattern of found specimens. Although the region of mintage has been narrowed down, the city itself remains elusive. RPC has suggested possibly Perinthus. Presumably a shortage of bronze coins in the region prompted a localised imperial issue. The striking of imperial bronze outside of Rome was an exceptional step at the time considering the last imperial branch mint at Lugdunum had shuttered late in Vespasian's reign. The issues consisted of sestertii, dupondii, asses, and semisses which copied types struck at Rome. Production at this Eastern mint continued uninterrupted between Titus' and Domitian's reigns, hinted at by Domitian's seamless adoption of Titus' types and legend formula after his accession - exemplified by the minor substitution of a 'D' for a 'T' in the obverse legend of this dupondius. Roma is the only reverse type struck on the dupondius for both issues. The coinage struck under Domitian at this mint is quite rare, owing to the short time frame in which it was produced. After its closure in early 82, the striking of imperial coinage would be consolidated at Rome for the remainder of Domitian's reign. I love coins with honest wear such as this! And the corresponding Titus I acquired earlier this year. Titus Æ Dupondius, 12.49g Eastern Mint (Thrace?), 80-81 AD RIC 503 (R). BMC 314. RPC 507. Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, radiate, bearded, r. Rev: ROMA; S C in exergue; Roma std. l. on cuirass, with wreath and parazonium Acquired from eBay, April 2019. Post anything you feel relevant - Thracian, Domitian, or a coin with a one letter difference.
Great coin David. Here's one of my favorites from the mystery mint. Titus Æ Sestertius. Uncertain Eastern Mint (Thrace?) AD 80-81. O: Laureate head right IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII R: IVD CAP across upper field, S C across middle field, palm tree, to left Jewess seated left on shield in attitude of mourning, to right Jew standing right, hands tied behind back, spear and shield before him. RIC 500; RPC 503; Hendin 1596.
