Sale: CNG 70, Lot: 910. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 September 2005.  Sold For $760. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

DOMITIAN. 81-96 AD. AR Denarius (3.35 g, 7h). Struck 81 AD. Laureate head right / Tripod, upon which sit two ravens and wreath surmounted by dolphin. Cf. RIC III 1-5 (for obv.) and BMCRE 82 (Titus; for rev.). Good VF. Unpublished hybrid. ($300)

A number of hybrids are known with a Domitian obverse and Titus reverse. This coin combines an obverse of Domitian's first issue with a reverse of Titus' final issue of denarii. While the general reverse type of dolphin on tripod is rather common for this issue of Titus, the addition of the ravens is rare (and not in RIC). However, this exact type was carried-over into the first issue of Domitian, with the appropriate legend for his first year (RIC III 3). Probably a mint error that occurred during the transition between the two emperors' coinage.