Domitian Copper As, RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Domitian 623

Monetary Context and Denominational Function

The monetary reforms established under Augustus defined the Roman imperial bronze and copper coinage system for more than two centuries, establishing the copper as as the essential workhorse unit of retail commerce. Under Domitian, who ruled from 81 to 96 AD, the imperial administration maintained tight oversight of the monetary system, briefly elevating the fineness and weight standards of the precious-metal coinage before stabilizing production across all denominations. Within this framework, the copper as was valued at four quadrantes, two semisses, or half of a brass dupondius, while sixteen asses constituted one silver denarius. Unlike the brass (orichalcum) sestertius and dupondius, the as was traditionally struck in relatively pure unalloyed copper or low-tin bronze, distinguishing itself in antiquity by its reddish metallic hue and lighter module compared to the golden tone of orichalcum. Denominations in base metal bore the traditional senatorial mark S C (Senatus Consulto), reflecting the formal constitutional balance whereby the Senate authorized base-metal issues while the princeps controlled the imperial mint and selection of motifs. Special commemorative issues, such as the extensive Saecular Games series of 88 AD to which RIC 623 belongs, demonstrated how base-metal tokens served a dual purpose: they facilitated immediate small-scale market transactions and distributed imperial religious propaganda to the wider public across Rome and the provinces.

Production and Mint Organization

RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Domitian 623 was struck exclusively at the central imperial mint in Rome. Following the great fire of Rome under Titus in 80 AD, which damaged substantial parts of the city, the primary mint facility operated under rigorous bureaucratic organization, staffed by hereditary imperial slaves and freedmen under the direction of the procurator monetae. The production of the Saecular Games coinage in 88 AD required a concerted logistical surge to engrave intricate commemorative dies across multiple denominations, including sestertii, dupondii, and asses, as well as aurei and denarii. Die cutters at the Rome mint executed the dies for RIC 623 with remarkable attention to ceremonial precision, fitting a multi-figure sacrificial composition, an architectural structure, an altar, and extended lettering into the constrained field of an as die, which typically measured between 26 and 29 millimeters in diameter. Blank flans were cast in open or two-part molds and subsequently struck hot or warm between hand-cut iron or bronze dies. The target weight standard for Domitianic asses during this phase of the reign centered around 10 to 11 grams, although normal metallurgical variations and mechanical casting tolerances created modest deviations across surviving specimens.

Obverse Iconography and Imperial Portraiture

The obverse of RIC 623 features a mature portrait bust of Domitian, depicted as a laureate head facing right. In the stylistic evolution of Domitianic numismatics, portraits from 88 AD reflect the fully developed Flavian imperial image characterized by a heavy, muscular neck, prominent jawline, slightly hooked nose, and carefully arranged locks of hair bound by the laurel wreath of victory and civic majesty. The laurel ties fall neatly down the nape of the emperor's neck. The engraving avoids the idealized youthfulness of early Julio-Claudian portraiture, favoring instead a sober, authoritative, and physically imposing likeness consistent with Domitian's self-presentation as a strict moral reformer and perpetual censor. The portrait is framed by an uninterrupted peripheral legend enclosed by an outer border of dots, maintaining symmetrical spacing around the imperial likeness.

Reverse Iconography: The Sacred Rites of the Saecular Games

The reverse of the coin illustrates a specific ritual tableau enacted during the Ludi Saeculares celebrated in October of 88 AD. Domitian stands facing left, capite velato (with his head veiled in the manner of a sacrificing magistrate or Pontifex Maximus), extending his right hand over a burning portable sacrificial altar. To the left of the altar stand two sacrificial musicians: a flute player (tibicen) performing on the double pipes to drown out unpropitious noises during the ritual, and a lyre player (citharode) holding a lyre. In the background behind the scene rises a classical temple façade, commonly interpreted as the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus or another sacred shrine connected to the festival's liturgical stations. In the lower field, flanking the composition or positioned in the exergue, appear the letters S C. This multi-figure design captures the performative essence of Roman state religion, emphasizing the emperor's piety (pietas) as he acts on behalf of the Roman people to inaugurate a new saeculum (era) of peace and divine favor.

Epigraphy and Titulature Analysis

The obverse inscription reads IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII CENS PER P P, rendering the complete imperial titulature in standard epigraphic abbreviations. 'IMP' designates Imperator; 'CAES' abbreviates Caesar; 'DOMIT' identifies Domitianus; and 'AVG' stands for Augustus. The cognomen 'GERM' celebrates his title Germanicus, adopted after his campaigns against the Chatti in 83 AD. His religious and constitutional offices follow: 'P M' denotes Pontifex Maximus, supreme head of the college of pontiffs; 'TR P VIII' specifies his eighth annual investiture of tribunician power; 'CENS PER' reflects his unprecedented assumption of the office of Censor Perpetuus (perpetual censor) in late 85 AD; and 'P P' records the honorific title Pater Patriae (Father of his Country). The reverse legend reads COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC, accompanied by S C in the field. This expands as 'Consul quartum decimum, ludos saeculares fecit', translating as 'Consul for the fourteenth time, he performed the Saecular Games'. The formula directly mimics the epigraphic announcements preserved on the official marble Acta of the games, establishing a direct link between physical public inscriptions in Rome and circulating numismatic epigraphy.

Typology and Chronological Classification

The chronological assignment of RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Domitian 623 is fixed to 88 AD by the coordination of Domitian's imperial offices. Domitian entered his fourteenth consulship (COS XIIII) on 1 January 88 AD, while his eighth renewal of tribunician power (TR P VIII) commenced on 14 September 88 AD, running through 13 September 89 AD. Because the Ludi Saeculares were held in late 88 AD, the issue is securely positioned in the final months of 88 AD. In the updated second edition of Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC II.1), Carradice and Buttrey reclassified and arranged the entire Saecular Games series chronologically according to denomination, legend breaks, and ritual iconography. RIC 623 forms part of a cohesive typology of bronze asses commemorating successive stages of the festival, including the distribution of purifying suffimenta, the reception of fruges, and animal sacrifices to Jupiter, Juno, and the Parcae. RIC 623 is specifically distinguished within this group by the combination of the sacrificant emperor, two sacred musicians, a burning altar, and the temple architectural backdrop.

Circulation, Wear, and Archaeological Recovery

As base-metal fractional coinage, copper asses circulated extensively and endured prolonged physical wear in daily commercial transactions. Unlike gold aurei and silver denarii, which were often hoarded in bank deposits or buried during times of political instability, copper asses traveled through local retail networks to pay for food, services, and minor taxation. Excavation data from military garrisons along the Rhine and Danube frontiers, urban sites in Roman Britain and Gaul, and domestic contexts across central Italy frequently reveal Flavian asses that remained in active circulation for decades, occasionally continuing in use into the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, and the Antonines. Because of their heavy circulation, surviving specimens of RIC 623 often exhibit moderate to severe surface wear, softening the fine details of the lyre strings, flute pipes, and architectural pediment. Despite this wear, the distinctive multi-figure composition and robust reverse lettering make the type readily identifiable in archaeological contexts and public collections.

References

1. Coinage and Finances in the Reign of Domitian, A.D. 81-96 (BAR International Series 178). pp. 115-132
2. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume II, Part 1: From AD 69 to 96 (Vespasian to Domitian). pp. 318-324, no. 623
3. The Emperor Domitian. pp. 102-105
4. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Volume II: Vespasian to Domitian. pp. 396-402
5. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Domitian 623. ric.2_1(2).dom.623