RIC 048 Domitian

AR Denarius, 2.96g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; Curule chair, wreath above
RIC 48 (C). BMC 18. RSC 570. BNC 17.
Acquired from Lucernae, eBay, December 2014.

This fairly common denarius was struck towards the end of 81 and is part of the group 4 denarii, the largest issue of the year. The curule chair reverse is a carry-over from the pulvinaria types struck by Titus. Presumably the mint had no new reverse types in readiness for Domitian and had to recycled those from the previous reign.

A good, early style portrait struck on a tight flan.