Copper As of Domitian as Augustus RIC 300

Copper As (27mm 10.13g) Struck A.D 85 Rome

Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS PER P P Laureate bust right

Rev: IOVI CONSERVAT S C Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter.

RIC II 300a
ex. Harry Stewart Collection

The Front (Obverse): The Emperor’s Power Trip

The front features a portrait of Domitian looking to the right, wearing a laurel wreath. The text wrapping around him looks like a bunch of random letters: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS PER P P.

When translated, it reveals Domitian listing every single impressive title he could grasp:

• IMP CAES DOMIT AVG: "Imperator Caesar Domitianus Augustus" — Emperor Caesar Domitian, the Supreme Ruler.
• GERM: "Germanicus" — A title he took to brag about his military victories over Germanic tribes.
• COS XI: "Consul for the 11th time." The consulship was a massive political honor, and holding it eleven times meant he completely dominated the government.
• CENS PER: "Censor Perpetuus" — This is the big one! In 85 AD, Domitian declared himself Perpetual Censor, giving him the lifelong power to control Roman morals, decide who could be in the Senate, and act as a total autocrat.
• P P: "Pater Patriae" — Father of the Country.

The Back (Reverse): Divine Protection

The back features the Roman king of the gods, Jupiter, standing tall, holding a scepter in one hand and a lightning bolt in the other.

• IOVI CONSERVAT: "To Jupiter the Protector." Domitian was telling the public, "Hey look, the king of the gods is personally watching over me and protecting my empire!"
• S C: "Senatus Consulto" — By decree of the Senate. This was stamped on bronze and copper coins to show they were officially backed legal tender, though by this time, the Senate was just doing whatever Domitian told them to do.

What this coin tells us

The year 85 AD was a turning point for Domitian. By combining the title of Germanicus (military hero) with Censor Perpetuus (absolute political boss) and putting Jupiter on the back, this coin was a loud, clear message to every Roman citizen: Domitian is completely in charge, he's winning wars, and the gods love him.