Domitian "Limes" Denarius cf. RIC 147

Domitian "Limes" Denarius (17.8mm 2.05g) cf RIC 174 Struck after AD 90

Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XII Laureate head right

Rev: IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P  Minerva advancing right holding spear and shield

cf RIC 147 cf. Sear 2734

Let's break down exactly what this coin is, what the letters mean, and why it's a bit of a historical mystery.

1. The Cool Story: What is a "Limes" Denarius?

Normally, a Roman denarius was a high-quality silver coin. However, a Limes Denarius (pronounced lee-meez) is made of a base metal, usually bronze or copper, and sometimes given a thin silver coating.

The word Limes means "border" or "frontier" in Latin. Historians have a few theories about why these were made:

• Frontier Money: They may have been minted specifically for soldiers stationed at the wild edges of the Roman Empire (like the German border). If a fort was attacked and the money fell into enemy hands, Rome wouldn't lose its precious silver supply.
• Emergency Cash: They might have been official local substitutes made when the capital ran out of real silver coins to send to distant outposts.

2. The Front (Obverse): The Emperor's Selfie

The front shows a portrait of Emperor Domitian wearing a laurel wreath. Surrounding his head is a string of abbreviations that act like a giant royal title:

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XII

Here is what that translates to in plain English:

• IMP (Imperator): Commander-in-chief of the army.
• CAES (Caesar): Part of the imperial family name.
• DOMIT: Domitian.
• AVG (Augustus): The Emperor.
• GERM (Germanicus): "Conqueror of Germany"—a title he bragged about after fighting the Germanic tribes.
• P M (Pontifex Maximus): Chief High Priest of Rome.
• TR P XII (Tribunicia Potestate 12): He held the powerful office of Tribune for the 12th time. 

3. The Back (Reverse): The Warrior Goddess

The back of the coin features Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and war, who happens to be Domitian's absolute favorite deity. She is stepping forward, holding a spear and a shield, ready to defend the empire.

The letters around her are another list of bragging rights:

IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P

• IMP XXII: He was hailed as a victorious general by his troops 22 times.
• COS XVI: He was elected as a Consul (Rome's highest political office) for the 16th time.
• CENS P: Perpetual Censor. This gave him the ultimate power to control who sat in the Roman Senate.
• P P (Pater Patriae): "Father of the Country."