Silver Denarius of Domitian as Caesar under Vespasian RIC 246

Silver Denarius (18mm, 3.32g) Struck 79 A.D. under Vespasian, Domitian as Caesar minted in Rome

Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS VI Laureate bust right

Rev:PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS Clasped hand on ships prow, holding a legionary eagle..

RIC-246 (Vespasian) ex York Coins ex William C Boyd Collection, Baldwins Auction (42) 9/26/2005, Purchased by Mr. Boyd from Sadd, D (?) 11/1898

This silver denarius tells a great story of family pride, military might, and a youngest son waiting for his turn to rule.

The coin was struck in 79 A.D. under the authority of Rome’s emperor, Vespasian. However, the face on the coin isn't Vespasian—it's his youngest son, Domitian, who was serving as "Caesar" (prince/heir-in-training) at the time.

The Front (Obverse): A Prince in Waiting

The front features a portrait of a young Domitian wearing a laurel wreath (the classic Roman symbol of victory). Around his head is the Latin inscription:

• CAESAR: His royal family title.
• AVG F (Augusti Filius): This translates to "Son of the Augustus (Emperor)". It's a huge political brag, essentially telling everyone, "Hey, my dad is the boss."
• DOMITIANVS: His name.
• COS VI (Consul VI): This means he was serving his 6th term as a Roman consul (one of Rome's top political jobs).

The Back (Reverse): Loyalty and the Fleet

The back features a mix of symbols—clasped hands resting on the front tip (prow) of a warship, holding a legionary eagle standard. Surrounding it is the text:

• This translates to "Prince of Youth." It was an official title given to the imperial princes to show they were the leaders of the next generation of Rome's elite and the future of the empire.

The Visual Symbols:

• The Clasped Hands: A universal Roman symbol for agreement, trust, and alliance.
• The Ship's Prow: Represents the Roman Navy and maritime power.
• The Legionary Eagle: The sacred standard carried by Roman army legions.

The Big Picture Meaning

When you put it all together, this coin was a clever piece of political propaganda. At the time it was minted, the Flavian family (Vespasian, oldest son Titus, and youngest son Domitian) had only been in power for about a decade after a brutal civil war.

By putting the "Prince of Youth" on a coin alongside symbols of the army, the navy, and trust (the hands), the imperial family was sending a reassuring message to the public: "The empire is stable, the military is loyal, and the next generation of our family is ready to keep Rome safe and strong." Ironically, 79 A.D. was the exact year Vespasian died, Titus became emperor, and Domitian moved one step closer to eventually ruling Rome himself.

William C. Boyd (1842–1906) was a well-known British numismatist—someone who deeply loved and studied coins. He was an active member of the Royal Numismatic Society and served as their Honorary Treasurer. He was famous for having an incredible eye for detail, often spotting rare or unpublished varieties that others missed.