Domitian AE As AD 81-96 *smoothing* VF

The as, also known as the assarius, was a coin first introduced during the Roman Republic and continued to be used during the Roman Empire.  Asses were initially made of bronze, but later issues of these coins were made of copper.  Ten asses were equivalent to one denarius.  This coin was minted by the Roman Empire under Domitian.

Titus Flavius Domitianus, better known as Domitian, was born in 51 AD to Vespasian and Flavia Domitilla. His father became emperor during a civil war in 69.  With his father in power, Domitian was granted the title of caesar and became praetor the following year.  His older brother, Titus Flavius Vespasianus, was next in line to become emperor, but as he did not have a son, it was widely believed that Domitian would succeed him.  When Vespasian died and Titus Flavius Vespasianus became Emperor, Domitian expected to move into his brother’s old position, but received no such power, which caused a rift between the brothers.  Titus Flavius Vespasianus died in 81 after a short 2 year rule, and Domitian became Emperor.  As a ruler, he was competent but severe.  Aristocrats and government officials hated him, but he was very popular with the army, likely because he raised their pay in 84.  Some of his eccentricities offended people, such as wanting to be addressed as dominus et deus (“master and god”).  After he ordered the execution of a few of his cousins, his supporters worried that they weren’t safe and conspired to kill him.  They succeeded on September 18, 96.

This coin was graded VF (very fine) by the Numismatic Grading Company, the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild.  Here is a list of grades used by the NGC, as well as information about Strike, Surface, and Style ratings.  This coin has smoothing, meaning the surface has been ground down to smooth out rough areas.

Obverse: IMP CAES DOMITI AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P (Imperator Caesar Domitian Augustus Germanicus Consul XI, Censoria Potestate, Pater Patriae, translation: Supreme commander, Caesar, Domitian, emperor, conqueror of the Germans, consul for the 11th time, holder of censorial power, father of the nation); laureate head right with aegis on neck

Reverse: SALVTI AVGVSTI S C (Saluti Augusti Senatus Consulto, To the health of the emperors by decree of the senate); facade of altar-enclosure of the Ara Salutis Augusti, with double panelled door and horns of the altar visible above.  The altar depicted on this coin is of unknown identification.

Reference: RCV 2808, RIC 304(a)