I couldn't help myself. A rare variant with a minor difference? Count me in! Domitian AR Denarius, 3.01g Rome mint, 81 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VII; Seat, draped; above, triangular frame decorated with corn ears, lituus within triangle RIC 3 var. BMC 2 var. RSC 554a var. BNC 2 var. Ex Short collection. Acquired from Akropolis Coins 2017. This early Domitian denarius is a rare variant of the common throne with triangular frame, a Titus carry-over pulvinar type, showing a lituus within the triangle. The lituus variant actually first showed up under Titus on a few rare denarii. Apparently the same engraver(s) were still working at the mint during Domitian's first few weeks as emperor. The upcoming RIC II.1 Addenda notes that some specimens may show a lituus but does not assign a separate catalogue number for the variant. The throne with triangular frame pulvinar type was exclusively produced for Domitian in his first issue as Augustus, possibly in connection with the opening games of the Colosseum. The appearance of the lituus highlights the type's religious meaning. An example without lituus. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.13g Rome mint, 81 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VII; Seat, draped; above, triangular frame decorated with corn ears RIC 3 (R). BMC 2. RSC 554a. BNC 2. Acquired from Museum Surplus, July 2013. Please feel free to flyspeck!
