Domitian AR Denarius, Rome mint AD 87, Minerva M1, RIC 509

Domitian, Denarius, silver, reign AD 81–96, Rome mint AD 87; 3.21 g, 18 mm. Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VI; laureate head right. Reverse: IMP XIIII COS XIII CENS P P P; Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear; shield at side (Minerva type M1). Struck at Rome in the sixth tribunician year, recording the emperor’s fourteenth imperatorial acclamation and thirteenth consulship; standard denarius fabric on a compact flan. References: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Domitian 509.

This denarius belongs to Domitian’s long-running Minerva series, reflecting the goddess’s role as his patron. The titles GERM and CENS P P P advertise his German successes of AD 83 and his assumption of the censorship for life in AD 85, while TR P VI, IMP XIIII, and COS XIII date the issue to AD 87 during campaigns on the Danube. The type exemplifies Domitian’s consistent messaging of military authority and moral oversight through repetitive Minerva reverses across his silver coinage.