RIC 845 Domitian

AR Cistophorus, 10.59g
Rome mint (for Asia), 82 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG P M COS VIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: DOMITIA AVGVSTA; bust of Domitia, draped, r., hair massed in front and in long plait behind
RIC 845 (R). BMC 255. RSC 2 (under Domitian and Domitia). RPC 866 (6 spec.). BNC -.
Acquired from Harlan J. Berk, eBay, 30 December 2013. Ex Harlan J. Berk BBS 145, 14 September 2005, lot 459.

Domitian's cistophori were minted in Rome for distribution in Asia Minor on two separate occasions: at the beginning of the reign in 82 and near the end in 95. The type with the empress Domitia on the reverse can be dated to the first group based on Domitian's COS date. The style and die axis are similar to the denarii minted at Rome during the same period, firmly placing these cistophori to that mint.

A most fitting type to be minted at the beginning of the reign. Two similar portraits in a wonderfully "Flavian" style.