I love acquiring coins with neat little numismatic mysteries. My latest Domitian dupondius comes with just such a mystery and had me researching many of my old auction catalogues for hints. Domitian Æ Dupondius, 11.64g Rome mint, 85 AD RIC 367 (C). BMC 347. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P; Head of Domitian, radiate, bearded, r., with aegis Rev: ANNONA AVG; S C in exergue; Annona, std r., holding open on lap by two ends bag full of corn-ears; in front of her stands a small figure, l., also holding two ends of bag, and in the background, stern of ship Ex eBay, August 2019. A most curious reverse type was struck for Domitian on his dupondii for a short period of time between 84-88. Here we see Annona seated holding open a bag(?) of corn-ears and a mysterious small figure standing before her holding the other end of the bag with a ship's stern in the background. Overall, the reverse likely alludes to Domitian's care of the corn supply, hinted at by the stern, here a symbol of the all important African grain ships. The small individual before Annona has variously been described as a 'boy', a 'child', or ambiguously as just a 'figure'. H. Mattingly has the most imaginative explanation in BMCRE II. 'Annona herself, the spirit of the corn-supply, and the ship, the symbol of the overseas corn, are familiar: but who is the small figure who stands before her? He is certainly no child, but only a man reduced to tiny proportions beside the goddess; and the fact that he is bare to the waist may suggest that he is an Italian farmer. If this interpretation is right, the type records a definite policy of Domitian to encourage the growing of corn in Italy.' Mattingly may be correct about the overall meaning, but I think the figure is indeed a child, symbolic of the emperor's care, through Annona's auspices, for his subjects. As far as I know this type was struck only for Domitian, and even then just for a few brief years. Does anyone know of it being struck later? Or any later variants?
Interesting reverse type, indeed. The British Museum dates it to AD 85 and describes the small individual as a "small figure." Here's their specimen: I have Annona represented on coins of three emperors in my collection -- Antoninus Pius, Trebonianus Gallus, and Tacitus:
David, this coin is an example of why I could never get bored with the coinage of Domitian. Great addition to your collection.
