[ancients] Domitian denarius... not a Minerva type

I picked this one up on impulse. I find the anepigraphic reverse simple but striking, and I always like coins that wear their Fine condition well. Domitian is usually described as carrying a "sceptre with human head" on the reverse, but even on examples in better condition than mine, it really doesn't look like anything as macabre as a human head. Pity.

Imperial era denarii with reverses that bear no legend seem rather scarce as a group, even though issues like this may rate a 'common' in RIC and are not terribly expensive. I haven't seen too many other such Imperial era anepigraphic denarii - please post them if you have them!



DOMITIAN, as Caesar
Denarius (3.1g, 19mm)
Rome mint, 73 - 75 AD.
RIC (Vespasian) 680; RSC 664.
O: CAES AVG F DOMIT COS II, laureate head right.
R: Domitian togate on horse left, raising right hand and brandishing sceptre with human head in left.

 

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I know I asked for Imperial anepigraphic denarii rather than Domitian coins, but Steve, please feel free to post your wonderful Guy Fieri coin.

 

Ha! Thanks for the wake-up laugh

Alas, I have no anepigraphic Romans. Yours is very interesting!

 

Thanks! And you're welcome.

 

This is a cool type, nice one!

 

A fantastic piece. The simplicity of the reverse design is quite eye catching.

The reverse depicts Domitian's role in Vespasian and Titus' joint Triumph after the Jewish War. Interestingly enough, Flavius Josephus does not mention Domitian parading around on horseback with a human head: "Domitian rode beside them, in magnificent apparel and mounted on a steed that was itself a sight."

 

Ummm, do any of these puppies count as anepigraphic Romans:





... or does "SC" and/or a date count as an inscription?

 

Thanks! When I was doing some online searches for this type, your gallery on Forvm was one of those I came across. I have to say you have a really remarkable collection of Flavian denarii!

 

I reckon those would count as inscriptions, in particular SC which is just short for "senatus consulto".

 

Very nice Domitian.

 

Thank you for the kind compliment! It's nice to know others get some use out of the gallery.

 

Welcome to CT, David!

Z, that's a beautiful denarius. It does indeed wear its grade well.

 

Yup => welcome, vespasian70

 

Zumbly, normally I am proud of my knowledge of the english language. However, with that word 'anepigraphic' you really had me going!

Now that I know that you meant - 'without a legend', here are two of mine:

 

Saw the OP coin too, I liked it but I didnt want one of him as caesar no matter the reverse type. Im weird that way. Lovely coin in general though.

 

Wow, Eduard, matching gold and silver pieces... nice!

 

I'll not argue if you want to ignore the SC but a coin does not become anepigraphic when its legend wears off. VIRT AVG TRP COS SC


IVNO REGINA SC

Mine are not all that full of legend but any Severan sestertius with bold reverse legends is special.

 

DOMITIAN 81 - 96 A.D.
AR Denarius (3.59 g.) Rome 73 A.D., RIC Vespasian 680
CAES AVG F DOMIT COS II Laureate head right. Rev. Domitian riding on horse prancing left, holding scepter in left hand and raising right

 

*rats* => God, I can't sneak anything by you , eh?

Sorry, but I love that coin!! ... it's one of my favourite, "feel good" coins ...

=> but yah-yah, okay, I'll withdraw it from the contest!!

 

Resurrecting threads. My first anepigraphic Roman Imperial:

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. AR Denarius. Rome mint. Struck AD 141-143. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP COS III, Laureate head right / Antoninus Pius, in military dress, standing right, with left foot on globe, holding reversed spear and parazonium. RIC III 105c; RSC 1176c var
3.42g
17.5mm