RIC 656 Domitian

AR Denarius, 3.44g
Rome mint, 88-89 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XVII COS XIIII CENS P P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1)
RIC 656 (R). BMC 147. RSC 246. BNC -.
Ex Solidus Numismatics, eBay, 17 June 2015.

Domitian did not take the consulship in 89, so this rare denarius is dated by TR P VIII between September 88 and September 89. The date can be further narrowed down by the 17th imperial acclamation. A military diploma dated 7 November, 88 records Domitian as IMP XVII, so this issue must have been struck briefly at the end of 88, perhaps just a month or so due to the rarity of the acclamation number on the denarii. Domitian's imperial acclamations were piling up fairly rapidly during this time period due to increased military activity along the Danube.

A solid denarius in fine style.