RIC 336 Domitian

AR Denarius, 3.42g
Rome mint, 85 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Bust of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis
Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva stg. l., with thunderbolt and spear; shield at her side (M3)
RIC 336 (R2). BMC 79. RSC 178 (no aegis). BNC -.
Acquired from Etsy, February 2020. Ex CNG 440, 20 March 2019, lot 721 (part).

In 82 Domitian increased the silver fineness of the denarius to nearly 100% purity. Three years later in mid 85 the fineness was again adjusted, this time downward to c. 90%, presumably for monetary or fiscal reasons. Domitian also assumed the powers of censor in April of 85 which was recorded on the coinage. The title was successively contracted in three issues - CENSORIA POTESTAT, CENS POTES, and CENS POT. According to metal analyses by Walker and more recently confirmed by Butcher and Ponting, Domitian's second coinage reform took place between the last two issues - the CENS POT issue being the first under the new standard. All of these denarii from the fourth issue of 85 are extremely scarce and were struck with both an aegis and non aegis portrait. The aegis portraits are somewhat more desirable.

Good metal and neat style.