Hi all, Many of you have seen many posts from me on rare coins of the Flavians but especially Domitian. In the first year of his rule Domitian's denarii copied the designs for his brother Titus before him. The following coins feature one such reverse type. On the denarii of Titus there is a type with a triangular frame. Itself it is quite a common coin. However, on some of the reverse a lituus is shown under the frame. These are scarce to very rare depending on the number of palmettes featured on the triangular frame. You will find this reverse with 3, 5, or 9 palmettes. When Domitian had these coins struck he also included the rare variant. Below you will see RIC 3 for Domitian with no Lituus. The next coin was my first example with a lituus, and the last coin is the upgrade I won in the CNG auction yesterday. I am also thrilled that this coin was part of the Benito collection. The final picture is shown with the kind permission of CNG auctions. Picked this one up 4 years ago. Notice, no lituus under the frame. Domitian. AR denarius (18.15 mm, 3.36 g, 7 h). Rome A.D. 81. (Group 1) Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG, laureate head right Rev: TR P COS VII, draped throne, back decorated with grain ears. RIC 3 (R); BMCRE 2; RSC 554a. Ex: William Rosenblum Coins Ex:Agora Auctions March 22, 2016 lot 52-174 Purchased from Agora Auctions March 22, 2016. I picked up this one from our own @PeteB Domitian. AR denarius 81 CE (Group 1) (16.88 mm 3.02 g,). Rome mint, struck A.D. 81. Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG, laureate head right Rev: TR P COS VII, draped throne, back decorated with grain ears Lituus beneath the frame. RIC 3 Var (R);. RSC 554a Var BMC 2 Var Ex: Akropolis Ancient Coins June 22, 2017. And at last here is the upgrade I bought from CNG. Domitian. AD 81-96. AR Denarius (17.5mm, 3.47 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 13 September-31 December AD 81. Obv: Laureate head right; IMP CAESAR DOMITANVS AVG Rev: Pulvinar (throne) of Jupiter and Juno: square seat, draped, with tassels: it has a triangular frame on it, on which are three vertical bars on each side and one palmette in center, there is a lituus under the triangular frame; TR P COS VII. RIC II.1 3 (Var); RSC 554a. Light tone over hairlined surfaces. Good VF. From the Benito Collection. CNG electronic auction 468 Lot 411
@Orfew ....Wonderful looking upgrade..The portrait is stunning! You dont see the beard so detailed on many Domitian coins...Congrats.
Thanks so much for the kind words Paul...they are appreciated. I agree with you about the beards of Domitian. The beards have worn off of many of his denarii.
Congrats on the upgrade @Orfew that is a lovely bust of Domitian. He looks like a first rate tough, ready to bust some heads.
Not only an upgrade, but a double die pair match! Regarding the beard - I always describe both Titus and Domitian as 'bearded', although on most specimens the beard has worn off.
That really is a nice pick-up @Orfew, lovely coin! I really like how earlier coins show Domitianus with Lombroso like facial features, unlike his later issues, which have the more sophisticated looking portrait. Are the earlier portraits more realistic?
Very nice upgrade @Orfew !! I agree with @Limes there seems to have been a transformation of Domitian's portraiture. Going back to his earliest coinage as Caesar, Domitian's portraits seem to imitate the stocky and veristic appearances of his father and brother. After he became emperor, his portraiture seems to have a more chiseled, youthful appearence. Was he perhaps harkening back to an Augustan ideal? Does anyone have the explanation for this?
Flavian portraits were broadly veristic until Domitian's coinage reform in 82. After that point the portraiture became more idealised, perhaps reflecting the 'dominus et deus' philosophy of Domitian.
The coin arrived today. I am thrilled by how this one appears in hand. The CNG photo looks a bit dull. Here is my photo.This is how the coin actually looks.
Orfew, An excellent specimen! I'm a little doubtful about the identification of the object on the throne, however. Doesn't look much like the standard lituus, as on this denarius of Vespasian from CoinArchives, on the far right.
Wow, @Orfew , some great coins! Gotta lotta good flava with those Flavians! Would love to see your complete collection someday, especially with the specialization you have going on! Nice stuff. Congrats!
Many thanks for the kind words Curtis. As for the supposed Lituus, you’re right it does not really look like a typical Lituus. I have always heard it called a Lituus and I cannot think of what else it might be. Thanks again for the comments
Nice. However, in the flesh! So much cooler! I got to see a couple albums of @Bing ’s... so cool to see others’ collections.
My friend you are welcome anytime. I have a grill, a freezer full of meat, and cold ones in the fridge.
