RIC 465 Domitian

Æ Sestertius, 25.01g
Rome mint, 86 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XII CENS PER P P; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis
Rev: IOVI VICTORI; S C in exergue; Jupiter std. l., with Victory and sceptre
RIC 465 (C2). BMC 373. BNC 396.
Acquired from CGB.fr, June 2021.

Similar to the silver and gold, Domitian’s aes coinage in the mid 80s settled down to a few predicable reverse types that were annually struck throughout the reign. The Sestertii were dominated by Victory crowning the emperor and the seated Jupiter with Victory, as seen on this coin. ‘Jupiter the giver of Victory’ was an important propaganda type because of the periodic conflicts that flared up from time to time on the Northern frontier. This early example of the type features the fine style and superior craftsmanship that was a hallmark of the Rome mint in the mid 80s under Domitian. Not only is the portrait exquisitely engraved, but the reverse featuring a super buff Jupiter is no slouch either. Both are evidence of a mint firing on all cylinders.