Ancient Rome - 81-96 CE Domitian, as Caesar under Titus, AR Denarius NGC Choice XF

Strike 5/5; Surface 4/5 - some minor edge scuffs present. Silver Domitian denarius struck 80-81 CE at the Rome mint. The obverse presents a laureate head of Domitian facing right. He was known as a cruel man, and this aspect of his personality is quite evident in his image upon this Denarius. Around the rim it reads, CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII. The reverse offers a goat in a wreath, standing and facing left. Around: PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS. There are some edge scuffs evident on this piece. It is sharply struck with excellent eye appeal. Both sides of this work of classical numismatic art carry attractive brown, gold, green, blue, and red toning from long-term storage in a coin cabinet. The goat was an important figure in ancient Rome and was a symbol of rustic life and earthly qualities. It is associated with the mythological Faunus, the horned god of the forest, plains, and fields. He has the hindquarters, legs, and horns of a goat, in the same manner as a faun. Faunus was equated in literature with the Greek god Pan and represented sexuality and nature.