I haven't always been a fan of Domitian's denarii. The same old Minerva reverse wasn't really doing it for me and I know others found his reverse designs boring. But in the past 2 years I've really taken a liking to his coinage. The portraits are actually some of the finest rendered with a wide variety of looks. When you come to know and understand the subtleties of the Imperial titles and acclamation's there are some real gems to be found. This one however isn't part of that so-called "boring" Minerva series of coins. I've always wanted one of these for the iconic eagle with spread wings on the reverse and the legend... IVPPITER CONSERVATOR. Minted in 82/3 AD it's part of the monetary reform to increase the fineness of silver back to where it was under Augustus. This one has fantastic toning and although there is a small crack in the flan it doesn't detract from the details. In fact many of the ones I've seen over the years have similar cracks in the flans. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-150795 RIC 144 Domitian Denarius IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Laureate head of Domitian right IVPPITER CONSERVATOR Eagle standing front on thunderbolt, wings outspread, head left Rome 82-83 AD 3.37g RIC 144 (R) Ex-inumis France Let's see your coins with Jupiter's Eagles or proclaiming his Conserving power.
A lovely looking coin, Jay. My eagle is bigger than yours! Domitian (81 - 96 A.D.) SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch AR Tetradrachm O: AVT KAISAR DOMITIANOS SEB GERM, laureate head right; aegis at point of bust. R: ETOUS NEOV IEROV H, eagle standing facing right on thunderbolt; palm in right field. RY 8 (88/9 AD) 14.77g 26mm Prieur 145; RPC II 1978; Wruck 108
A great coin Jay. I have one of those on one of my auction watch lists right now. I love the reverse design.
Nice Denarius @Jay GT4 ! I do not have any Jupiter's Eagles from the Imperial Age, but I do have some from the Republic: RR Hd Juno Sospita R goat skin hddrss She-wolf R placing stick on fire eagle stndng fanning flames 45 BCE 19.0mm 4.07g Cr 472-1 RR Anon AE Sextans 217-215 BCE She-Wolf Twins Eagle Syd 95 Cr 39-3 S 609 Scarce RR Plaetorius Cest 67 BC AR Den Helmtd Diety quiv cornuc S-C Eagle tbolt S 349 Cr 409-1 VF
Nice Republocan eagles! Surprised no one posted any late follii with the similar IOVI CONSERVATORI reverse. This one deserves a better photo. Licinius Follis IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG Laureate head right IOVI CONS-ERVATORI AVGG Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on a globe & scepter; at feet left, an eagle with a wreath in it's beak, Delta right, SMHT in ex. Jan-Feb AD 313 Heraclea RIC VI 73 Ex-ANE
Many years ago I used to feel the same way. The monolithic Minerva series was not my cup of tea. However, I've since discovered the neat nuances of the series. Plus, the fact that the coinage is so finely dated makes for many rare variants hidden among the common looking coins ... and you are right about the portraits - Domitian didn't skimp on getting the best engravers. You have a lovely eagle denarius there Jay, here's mine.
My Flavian eagle... Titus, AR Denarius, A.D. 76 O:T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS; Laureate head right; R:COS V; Eagle on cippus, head left. 15x18 mm, 3.5 g RIC II Rome 872
Cool thread and cool Domitian Jay! Here is my boring but much loved Domitian with Minerva! ......................................... Jupiter as Conservator Roman Empire Diocletian (AD 284-305) AE Antoninianus, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 285-286 Dia.: 24.73 mm Wt.: 3.55 g Obv.: IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG Radiate bust of Diocletian right Rev.: IOVI CONSER-VAT AVG Jove standing right holding thunderbolt and scepter. XXIZ below Ref.: RIC V:II 161 Write up: Diocletian: Two Interesting Coins and a Legacy of Reform Roman Empire Constantine I, AD 306-337 AE Follis, Cyzicus mint, 6th officina, struck ca. 313-315 Dia.: 21 mm Wt.: 3.8 g Obv.: IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; Laureate head right Rev.: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI; Jupiter standing left, holding globe surmounted by Victory in right hand, holding scepter in left hand; eagle holding wreath in beak at left; S // SMK Ref.: RIC VII 3 Ex JAZ Numismatics Write up: Jupiter the Preserver Roman Empire Licinius I AE Follis, Thessalonica mint, struck ca. AD 312-313 Obv.: IMP LIC LICINIVS P F AVG; Laureate bust left Rev.: IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGGNN; Jupiter standing left, holding globe surmounted by Victory in right hand, holding scepter in left hand; eagle holding wreath in beak at left; / TS A Ref.: RIC VI 59 Write up: Jupiter the Preserver
Nice coins, everyone! I suspect that if I ever buy an Imperial coin of Domitian it will be a Minerva type since they are often so well rendered and preserved and because I have an overabundance of eagle reverses in my collection . The Flavian eagles are interesting though.
