It is known that the portraits of Domitian from 84-88 are some of the best for Domitian. This coin arrived yesterday and imho it is a stunner. it does not hurt either that this is a very rare coin. The portrait features aegis. Aegis on Domitian's denarii are rare to extremely so. Please post your portraits that made you say wow. Domitian AR denarius 85 CE (19mm, 3.50 grams) Obv: Head laureate right with Aegis; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P IIII Rev: Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column with spear and shield to right owl; IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P RIC: 334 (R2) Ex Dr V.J.A Flynn collection, Noble Numismatics Auction 120 Lot 3222 (part) Ex: Ye Olde Coin dot au
Beautiful ! I have an Aegis of his, but on bronze (you have already seen that one a few times...) Domitianus, As - Rome mint, AD 85 IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS XI, Laureate bust of Domitian right MONETA AVGVSTI, Moneta standing left, holding cornucopia and scales. SC in field 11.08 gr Ref : Cohen #325, RCV #2807v Q
Glad you got it Andrew. Great coin. I have one from the same series but without Aegis, also very rare. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-153307 IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII Laureate bust right IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT PP Minerva standing left with spear Rome; 85 AD 3.13g RIC 338 (R2)
One of my best portraits of Domitian is this guy. Domitian Ae Sestertius 95-96 AD Obv Head right laureate. Rv Jupiter seated left holding Victory and sceptre. RIC 794 28.42 grms 32 mm Photo by W. Hansen I like Flavian sestertii but I find them rather difficult to acquire in decent condition.
I think this portrait is more life like, pretty clear he is the son of Vespasian and brother of Titus. Wonder if he was on a diet after 83 AD ?
Not just a wowzer portrait w/ cool aegis, but lovely in other respects too: well centred, nice strike, nice style reverse etc. Well played!! There's nothing like a sweet portrait to make me fork out the bucks. I just posted this win from today's CNG in our standard Hadrian thread, but will add it here too: I find the portrait style on this coin to be both unusual and artistic! (Too bad the reverse doesn't have the same virtues as your coin.)
Nice Hadrian @Severus Alexander Don't know whether his boots are made for walking, but for sure his lips are made for kissing... Q
I noticed that too! The so-called "Diomedes portraits" found on a few aureii, which my new denarius reminds me of, have a bit of this going on as well:
The OP Domitian's lips are pretty impressive too! @Bing's Domitian has excellent lips as well (and is otherwise fantastic). The lips on @Jay GT4's are kinda gnarly... If this is going to morph into a lips thread, I think some female lips are in order. Crispina (AE As):
That die engraver's handiwork can be detected at Rome for several years, at least until 88. An exceptional example of his craftsmanship.
