RIC 003 Domitian Variant

AR Denarius, 3.01g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P COS VII; Seat, draped; above, triangular frame decorated with corn ears, lituus within triangle
RIC 3 var. (no lituus within triangular frame on rev.). BMC 2 var. (same). RSC 554a var. (same). BNC 2 var. (same).
Ex Short collection. Acquired from Akropolis Coins 2017.

This early Domitian denarius is a rare variant of the common throne with triangular frame, a Titus carry-over pulvinar type, showing a lituus within the triangle. The lituus variant actually first showed up under Titus on a few rare denarii. Apparently the same engraver(s) were still working at the mint during Domitian's first few weeks as emperor. The upcoming RIC II.1 Addenda notes that some specimens may show a lituus but does not assign a separate catalogue number for the variant.

The throne with triangular frame pulvinar type was exclusively produced for Domitian in his first issue as Augustus, possibly in connection with the opening games of the Colosseum. The appearance of the lituus highlights the type's religious meaning.