Domitian, as Caesar, 69-81. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.44 g, 6 h), Rome, 77-78. CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. COS V She-wolf standing left, head turned to right, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; in exergue, boat. BMC 240. CBN 208. Cohen 51. RIC 961. Lightly toned. Very fine.



The reverse of this coin illustrates Rome's birth. The story of the she wolf suckling the twins, Romulus and Remus, illustrates how they were saved by the caring love of a wild animal. However, what it does not explain is the sometimes feral intensity of their warrior ethos, which was perhaps derived from their feeding sustenance derived from a violently dangerous beast. The boat in the exergue illustrates how they made their way down the Tiber river when they were just infants, having been placed in it to carry them away from danger.