Reproduction Denarius of Domitian - Minerva

Obverse: Laureate head of Domition right. Text around IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XI (Imperator Caesar Domitian Augustus Germanicus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestas XI).

Reverse: Minerva standing left holding thunderbolt in right hand and spear in left arm, shield behind resting against her legs. Text around IMP XXI COS XVI CENS P PP (Imperator XXI Consul XVI Censor Perpetuus Pater Patriae - emperor for the twenty first time, consul for the sixteenth, censor, father of the country).

History: The goddess Domitian worshipped the most zealously was Minerva. Not only did he keep a personal shrine dedicated to her in his bedroom, he founded a legion, Legio I Minervia, in her name and she also regularly appeared on his coinage. From AD 83 the coinage of Domitian settles into one of four main reverse types, all in praise of Minerva.

Domitian was insistent that all his official honours were fastidiously indicated on his coinage, until there was virtually no room left on the coin to record them all.

Date: Rome mint, 91 AD – 92 AD 

Diameter: 1.9cm