RIC 080 Domitian

Æ Sestertius, 19.98g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; S C in field; Domitian stg. l., togate, with palladium
RIC 80 (C). BMC 265. BNC 278.
Acquired from Jetons Canada, eBay, April 2024. Ex Paris dealer, February 2024.

Struck fleetingly during Domitian's first meagre bronze issue, this unique reverse features Domitian as Emperor standing togate holding the palladium of Pallas Athena. Considered an accession type, it was never struck again and has the distinction of being the first original Domitianic design employed on his coinage. Mattingly in BMCRE says of the new type - 'Domitian holding the palladium is the Emperor entrusted with the destinies of Rome.' Rarely noted in the catalogues is the scroll Domitian is holding with his left hand, symbolising his authority. RIC's frequency rating is 'common', but only two other examples are listed on asearch in trade during the past 20 years and just four examples cited in OCRE. Same dies as the BM and Paris specimens.

A superb example of early Domitianic portraiture.