Just won 3 more coins of Domitian

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Orfew, Mar 8, 2019.

  1. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Hi All,

    I was thrilled to win these 3 in the mail bid sale held yesterday by Jesus Vico from Spain. there was no live bidding in this one so a different strategy was necessary. It simply involved bidding the highest you were willing to pay and then waiting to see if it was enough. I am happy to say that I bid on 3 and won all 3.

    I bought the first coin because I had not seen a Salus denarius before for Domitian. I really like the portrait on this one and the full legends do not hurt either. Though definitely not excessively rare, this is the first one I have had the opportunity to bid on.




    Domitian RIC 145.jpg

    Domitian. Denarius. Rome 82-83 CE .
    Obv: head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PM
    Rev: Salvs std l with corn ears and poppy; SALVS AVGVST.
    RIC-145 (R)
    Jesus Vico Mail bid auction # 153 Lot 3135 March 7, 2019


    Yes, the second coin is a Minerva, but not an ordinary one. The reverse legend makes this special. Note that the legend states CENS POT PP and not CENS P PP. I missed out on 2 of this type (not the same RIC number because the Minerva poses were different than this one) in the last 2 weeks and finally landed one for myself. The coin is rare but not as rare as other legend variations such as "CENSORIA POTESTAT" and "CENS POTES". According to RIC the fineness of the denarii was reduced to post reform Neronian standards between the "CENS POTES" and "CENS POT" issues. This supposedly took place between April and September of 85 CE.




    Domitian RIC 342.jpg

    Domitian. Denarius. Rome 85 CE. (Fifth Issue)
    Obv: Head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P V
    Rev: Minvera advancing r with spear and shield; IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT PP
    RIC-342 (R2)
    Jesus Vico Mail bid auction # 153 Lot 3136 March 7, 2019



    As far as I am concerned I am saving the best for last. I have wanted this type since I saw one in @David Atherton 's Forum gallery and on James Hazelton's website on Domitian coinage. One reason I wanted this was the legend variation on the obverse. Note that instead of "GERM" it spells out "GERMANIC". This is a rare variation for Domitian. However the star of the show is the reverse. Notice that instead of the normal legend around the edge it has "CENS PPP" and a Minerva. There is another issue with just "COS XIIII" on the reverse with Minerva. Both of these issues are rare. Stylistically, I love the look of this reverse and wish it had been continued on other issues for Domitian.





    Domitian RIC 568.jpg
    Domitian AR Denarius. Rome 88 CE Group 2
    Obv: Head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERMANIC COS XIII
    Rev: Minerva Minerva stg l with thunderbolt and spear; CENS P.P.P.
    RIC-568 (R2) BMC 139 RSC 27
    Jesus Vico Mail bid auction # 153 Lot 3133 March 7, 2019


    If you have made it this far...thank you. Please post anything you think relevant.
     
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  3. Archeocultura

    Archeocultura Well-Known Member

    This is imho the real way of collecting: leave the ordinary and focus on small and/or exotic details!
    Nice and interesting coins!

    Frans
     
    Volodya, Theodosius and Orfew like this.
  4. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Great coins @Orfew and congrats on the auction wins.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  5. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    Excellent captures!
     
    Orfew likes this.
  6. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Three absolute beauties, congrats on great buying.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  7. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    You won 3 great coins, but that FIRST one of Salus is just exquisite. I love seeing something besides Minerva on Domitian's coinage. You hit a jackpot.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  8. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Thanks very much @octavius . Given the quality of the coins you have shown here that means a lot.

    I was actually stunned to win all three. I thought with the bids I placed I might win one and possibly two. I did not think I would get all of them. It was a mail bid auction and not a live auction so I guess I did not know what to expect. I won each of them for less than my maximum bid.
     
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  9. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    Great toning on all three.

    I especially like the third one.

    John
     
  10. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

  11. TheRed

    TheRed Well-Known Member

    All three coins are beauties @Orfew Congrats on such wonderful additions to your collection.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  12. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Congrats on your wins. That last denarius is a great example of what I call 'Flavian baroque' style. Wonderful piece!
     
    ominus1 and Orfew like this.
  13. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    I like all three, but especially that third one. Congrats!
     
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  14. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Nice! Some neat shields
     
    Orfew likes this.
  15. dadams

    dadams Well-Known Member

    Great coins and congrats on the trio, but I'm especially envious of that last one!
     
  16. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Thanks @dadams The third one was my #1 target. It has great aesthetic appeal imho.
     
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  17. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    All three have luscious toning! congrats!
     
    Orfew likes this.
  18. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. I am really looking forward to getting these.
     
  19. Limes

    Limes Well-Known Member

    Amazing coins, I especially like the third one. Congrats on the win!
     
  20. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Well...they finally arrived today more than one month since I won them. Here they are. They look great in hand. I was surprised at just how much better these looked than the auction photos.The toning is lovely. I am incredibly happy to add these wonderful coins to my collection.

    Domitian ric 145 new.jpg

    Domitian ric 342 new.jpg

    Domitian ric 568 new.jpg
     
  21. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Very nice indeed, each a good looker especially like the expression on Domitian's face on the bottom one. Congrats Orfew.
     
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