I picked this one up rather cheaply off eBay a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully the bidding wasn't too strong, likely because of the ho-hum condition of the piece. Every once in a while eBay can be kind. Domitian Æ As, 10.33g Rome mint, 85 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS PER P P; Head of Domitian, laureate, r., with aegis Rev: VICTORIAE AVGVSTI; S C in field; Victory stg. l., inscribing shield set on trophy to l., and holding palm RIC 422 (R2). BMC 367. BNC 389. Ex Ancient Treasures, eBay, 28 February 2021. The senatorial mint introduced new Germania Capta reverse designs for the bronze issues in 85 AD. Among them was this Victory inscribing shield type which was struck somewhat commonly for the dupondii and sparingly for the asses. The motif was borrowed, albeit with some minor modifications, from Vespasian's coinage. This As from the third and last bronze issue of 85 is exceedingly rare, perhaps owing to the short window of time at the end of the year prior to Domitian becoming COS XII on 1 January 86. NB: I believe this seemingly generic Victory type to be part of the Germania Capta issues because of the commemorative 'Germanic' character of the bronze issues in which it was struck. Also, the trophy design is identical to the one used on the Germania Capta sestertii.
