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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 3023918, member: 82616&quot;]I have another recently arrived cool Domitian to share with you folks.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]752415[/ATTACH]<b>Domitian</b></p><p>AR Denarius, 3.11g</p><p>Rome mint, 85 AD</p><p>RIC 334 (R2). BMC - . RSC - .</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Bust of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis</p><p>Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva stg. r. on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to r., owl (M2)</p><p>Ex Private Collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>A rare denarius from the first issue struck after Domitian&#039;s second coinage reform. In 82, Domitian increased the silver fineness of the denarius to nearly 100% purity. Three years later in mid 85 the fineness was again adjusted, this time downward to nearly 90%, still higher than the average 80% inherited from Titus. Domitian assumed the powers of censor in April of 85 which was recorded on the coinage. The title was successively contracted in three issues - CENSORIA POTESTAT, CENS POTES, and CENS POT. According to metal analyses by Walker and more recently confirmed by Butcher and Ponting, Domitian&#039;s second coinage reform took place between the last two issues - the CENS POT issue being the first under the new standard. This was the last denarius issue to regularly show Domitian portraits with aegis. From 85 onwards the aegis would only appear sparingly on special issues.</p><p><br /></p><p>If ever you come across a Domitian denarius featuring him wearing aegis, snatch it up! They are all fairly rare.</p><p><br /></p><p>Share your aegis portraits, or whatever you feel is relevant![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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