Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) II, 719; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 265; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 176.

1967.09

Denarius of Domitian

3.148 g. AD 90-91

Obv.: Head of Domitian r., laureate. IMP(erator) CAES(ar) DOMIT(ianus) AVG(ustus) GERM(anicus) P(ontifex) M(aximus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) X.

Rev.: Minerva striding r., draped, helmeted, brandishing a spear in her right hand, holding shield in left.

IMP(erator) XXI CO(n)S(ul) XV CENS(or) P(erpetuus) P(ater) P(atriae).

Domitian had been consul six times before he became emperor, and thereafter he held the consulship and the tribunician power annually. He was hailed imperator twenty-one times for victories in Britain and Germany between AD 81 and 89. He took the title ‘Germanicus’ in AD 84 to celebrate German victories. In AD 85 Domitian became censor for life (censor perpetuus). He attempted to enforce a stricter moral code on Rome, but some literary sources attacked him for hypocrisy and conflict with his own practice (e.g. Juvenal Satires 2, Pliny Letters 4.11).

Minerva was his favourite goddess, being patroness of war and letters, both fields in which he aspired to success. She appeared on the reverse of most of his gold and silver coins, in various poses.

Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) II, 719; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) 265; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 176.