RIC 482A Domitian

Æ Dupondius, 10.44g
Rome mint, 86 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XII CENS PER P P; Head of Domitian, radiate, bearded, r.
Rev: S C in field; Mars adv. l., with Victory and trophy
RIC 482A (R3). BMC -. BNC -.
Acquired from Den of Antiquity, August 2022.

The Mars advancing right type was struck for Domitian's middle bronzes for a short period between 85-87 AD. No doubt it was part of the massive Germania Capta series struck on the coinage in the wake of the Chattan war. Notably it copies a reverse design previously struck for Vespasian's sestertii. This specimen is an extremely rare variant featuring an obverse portrait lacking aegis. The overwhelming majority of aes portraits from the issue were struck with aegis. The mint engraver's would gradually move away from aegis portraits over the next couple of years, but in 86 they were dominate and any deviation can be chalked up to engraver's whim. Second known specimen. Listed as unique in the RIC II.1 Addenda.