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RIC 383 DomitianÆ As, 9.49g
Rome mint, 85 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis
Rev: MONETA AVGVST; S C in field; Moneta stg. l., with scales and cornucopiae
RIC 383 (C3). BMC -. BNC 374.
Acquired from Musa Numismatic, September 2019.
In 82 Domitian reformed the coinage by increasing the weight of the gold and fineness of the silver. Production of the bronze coinage was suspended while the mint was reorganised and resumed in 84 with new reverse types and a higher artistic standard. Appropriately, one of the first types struck on the bronze after the coinage reform was Moneta, 'mint goddess of the emperor'. H. Mattingly believes Moneta in this context can be seen as symbolising Domitian's control of the mint and as paymaster to the empire. A fitting reverse design for an emperor who cared so much for his coinage. Mirroring the silver, many of the bronze coins struck in the first year or so after the coinage reform have portraits with an aegis, an extra detail likely due to Domitian's attentive care. Under Domitian Moneta became a regular feature of the coinage and was struck year after year on the As issues. This example from 85 is one of the most common types struck for the As that year. Oddly enough, it is missing from the BM.
One gets the impression that Domitian was quite proud of his coinage reforms and Moneta was a symbolic reverse celebrating that achievement.
A nice example in hand, much better than the photo suggests.David Atherton09/21/19 at 16:39Rob P: Very cool best of type ive seen 
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Vespian Tetradrachm Alexandrian Tetradrachm year 2 of Vespasian (thanks to the fourm I know the year! Thank you) Rev: Nike facking left holding wreath and palm. 24 mm 11.39gm as worn a bit. Rob P09/20/19 at 00:08Rob P: Thanks Jay GT4!
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