Silver Denarius of Domitian as Augustus cf. RIC 172

Silver Denarius (18mm 3.06g) Struck A.D. 92, Rome

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

Rev: IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P Minerva standing right on prow, brandishing spear and holding a sheild, owl at her feet

cf. RIC-II 172 C. 281   RIC 2 Part 1 2nd edition 736
ex. York Coins Ex William C. Boyd Collection Baldwins Auction (42) 9/26/2005, Purchased by Mr. Boyd from London dealer W.S Lincoln Dec. 1898

The Front (Obverse): The Emperor's Portrait

The front shows a profile of Domitian wearing a laurel wreath (the ancient Roman equivalent of a crown, symbolizing victory). Surrounding his head is a string of abbreviations that spell out his official, super-long title:

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XI

If we translate the abbreviations and decode the titles, it tells a story:

• IMP CAES DOMIT AVG: Short for Imperator Caesar Domitianus Augustus. This is his core name and royal title, establishing him as the supreme ruler.
• GERM: Short for Germanicus. This was a victory title he gave himself after fighting Germanic tribes up north. It was basically his way of bragging, "Hey everyone, remember when I beat the Germans?"
• P M: Pontifex Maximus. This means he was the High Priest of Rome—the head of the entire state religion.
• TR P XI: Tribunicia Potestas XII. This means he was holding the "Power of the Tribune" for the 11th time. Because this power was renewed every single year, it tells historians the exact year the coin was made: A.D. 92!

The Back (Reverse): Domitian's Favorite Goddess

The back of the coin features Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and war. Domitian was absolutely obsessed with her and claimed she was his personal protector.

On this specific coin, she is shown in a very dramatic, warrior-like pose: standing on the front tip of a warship (a prow), holding a shield, and getting ready to throw a spear. There is even a tiny owl—her signature holy animal—sitting at her feet. By putting this image on the money, Domitian was telling the public: "The goddess of war is guarding our empire (and leading our navy)!"

The letters around Minerva are more titles that keep track of his career:

IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P

• IMP XXII: This means he had been officially hailed as a victorious military commander by his troops 22 separate times.
• COS XVI: He was serving his 16th term as a Consul (one of the highest political offices in Rome).
• CENS P: Censor Perpetuus. Domitian took the unique step of making himself "Permanent Censor," which gave him total control over the morals of Roman citizens and who got to sit in the Senate.
• P P: Pater Patriae, meaning "Father of the Country." It was an honorific title given to emperors to show they cared for Rome like a dad cares for his family.

History & Pedigree

Ancient coins pass through many hands over the centuries, and this specific piece has an awesome modern history (called its pedigree).

This actual coin was bought in December 1898 by a famous collector named William C. Boyd. It was purchased by Mr. Boyd from London dealer W.S Lincoln Dec. 1898 It sat in Boyd's family collection for over a hundred years until it was finally auctioned off in London in 2005.