minted in Rome

Coin (obverse), Quinarius, of Domitian

This silver coin was minted in Rome by the emperor Domitian in 88 AD. It is a type called a quinarius, worth half of a denarius which was the standard silver coin in use for most of Rome's history. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

The obverse has the head of the emperor wearing a laurel wreath, facing to the right. Around him is the inscription 'IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII' which identifies the emperor and abbreviates many of his titles.

The foundation of the Roman imperial coinage system was the denarius. Alongside this there was a limited gold series, based on the aureus, and a base metal series based on the sestertius. A denarius was of high value, equivalent to a soldier's daily wage.

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Online ID:	000-180-001-538-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2 Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1979.126
Date:	AD 88 Minted in 88 AD
Material:	Silver; reverse slightly off-centre; slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII; laureate head right. Rev.: COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC; Herald, with feathered cap, walking left, holding shield and wand
Dimensions:	Diameter 15.50 x 14.50 mm; weight 1.58 g; die axis 6.0
What:	Coin Type: RIC 118 Coin, quinarius
Subject:	Coins and currency
Who:
Where:	Italy, Rome Roman Empire
Event:
Description:	Silver quinarius of Domitian, Roman Empire, AD 88
References:	Mattingly, Harold and Sydenham, Edward A. The Roman Imperial Coinage. Vol. II. Vespasian to Hadrian. London: Spink & Son, Ltd, 1926.
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