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<p>[QUOTE="David Atherton, post: 2852662, member: 82616"]Sometimes eBay turns up a worthy coin. When a scarce Domitian denarius was listed with the 'buy it now' option, I didn't hesitate.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]677302[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Domitian</b></p><p>AR Denarius, 3.22g</p><p>Rome mint, 81 AD</p><p>RIC 56 (R2), BMC p. 299 ‡, RSC 560a</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.</p><p>Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1)</p><p>Acquired from eBay, September 2017.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is a rare Domitian 'PONT' denarius with the legend variant of DOMITIANVS fully spelled out. Denarii with 'PONT' instead of PM in the obverse legend come very early in the reign. Historically, PONT did not stand for Pontifex Maximus under Augustus, but did so under Nero. It is possible Domitian followed Nero's example and used PONT as an abbreviation for Pontifex Maximus. Conversely, it is also possible he followed in Augustus' footsteps and used the temporary title 'PONT' until the ceremony electing him to the position was completed. We simply do not know. The records of the Arval brothers do not show Domitian as Pontifex Maximus by 30 October, so presumably he acquired the title in either November or December. The office seems to have had no fixed date of appointment. Knowing how much of a stickler Domitian was to keeping to the proper forms, the mint likely waited until his election as Pontifex Maximus before the title was displayed on the coinage. Whether or not that title on the coinage after the election was abbreviated as 'PONT' for a brief time remains a mystery.</p><p><br /></p><p>'PONT' denarii don't often show up in trade and are considered highly desirable by Flavian collectors.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="David Atherton, post: 2852662, member: 82616"]Sometimes eBay turns up a worthy coin. When a scarce Domitian denarius was listed with the 'buy it now' option, I didn't hesitate. [ATTACH=full]677302[/ATTACH] [B]Domitian[/B] AR Denarius, 3.22g Rome mint, 81 AD RIC 56 (R2), BMC p. 299 ‡, RSC 560a Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1) Acquired from eBay, September 2017. This is a rare Domitian 'PONT' denarius with the legend variant of DOMITIANVS fully spelled out. Denarii with 'PONT' instead of PM in the obverse legend come very early in the reign. Historically, PONT did not stand for Pontifex Maximus under Augustus, but did so under Nero. It is possible Domitian followed Nero's example and used PONT as an abbreviation for Pontifex Maximus. Conversely, it is also possible he followed in Augustus' footsteps and used the temporary title 'PONT' until the ceremony electing him to the position was completed. We simply do not know. The records of the Arval brothers do not show Domitian as Pontifex Maximus by 30 October, so presumably he acquired the title in either November or December. The office seems to have had no fixed date of appointment. Knowing how much of a stickler Domitian was to keeping to the proper forms, the mint likely waited until his election as Pontifex Maximus before the title was displayed on the coinage. Whether or not that title on the coinage after the election was abbreviated as 'PONT' for a brief time remains a mystery. 'PONT' denarii don't often show up in trade and are considered highly desirable by Flavian collectors.[/QUOTE]
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