Domitian As Caesar Under Vespasian

This coin was misattributed.

The seller's attribution:

Domitian, as Caesar (AD 69-81).
AR denarius (3.04 gm). Rome, AD 73-75.
CAES AVG F-DOMIT COS II, laureate head of Domitian right
Domitian on horseback, rearing left, right hand raised adlocutio, scepter in left. RIC II 680 (Vespasian).

The actual attribution:

Domitian as Caesar AR Denarius 73 CE
(3.04 gm). Rome
Obv: Leaureate head r: CAES AVG F DOMITIAN COS II
Rev: Domitian on horseback, rearing left, right hand raised adlocutio, scepter in left.
RIC 539 [Vesp]

The differences seem small but they make a difference in terms of collectability. The coin as attributed by the seller is a common coin. There are 2 differences in the obverse legend. First on the common coin the legend is anticlockwise while on the rare version it is clockwise. Also, on the common coin the legend reads CAES AVG F DOMIT COS II while on the rare coins it reads CAES AVG F DOMITIAN COS II. Therefore this coin is actually the rarer RIC V539 and not RIC V680 as stated in the listing.


I find the reverse type of this coin to be quite attractive. I also like the unusual portrait very much. This shall make a nice addition to my Domitian denarii collection.