RIC 111 Domitian Engraver's Error

Æ As, 12.69g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VEP (sic) F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: TR P COS VIII DES VIIII P P; S C in field; Minerva adv. r., with spear and shield
RIC 111 (C). BMC 283. BNC 291.
Acquired from Marc R. Breitsprecher, January 2021.

It wasn't often that the extremely professionally run Rome mint made mistakes during the Flavian era, especially so during Domitian's tight reign. Here we have a rare example of a blundered obverse legend on an early bronze As of Domitian struck in late 81: DIVI VEP instead of DIVI VESP. It's a common enough type, but perhaps unique featuring this engraver's error. I wonder how many were struck before the mistake was noticed?

The engraver almost redeemed himself with the fine style portrait.