Finally...another PONT

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Orfew, Mar 8, 2021.

  1. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I am always on the lookout for Domitian denarii with PONT in the obverse legend. Every Domitian denarius that includes PONT is either very rare or ridiculously rare. It has been over 1.5 years since I have added a PONT. I saw one sell last month or the month before through Numismatik Naumann.True it was a very rare group 2 PONT denarius, but group 3 PONT denarii are also very rare. The Naumann coin sold for 1500 Euro plus fees.

    This one popped up on MA-Shops yesterday and I grabbed it as fast as I could. Thanks to Jay for alerting me to the posting of a number of Domitian denarii. I was not interested in most of them but then again this is not most coins. I know of 5 other examples of this coin.

    This coin gives me an excuse to finish a paper I am writing on the first year denarii of Domitian. I have been wanting to add another of these interesting coins. I have also been lucky enough to add several more interesting first year denarii ion the last year or so.

    Please post a coin that you have purchased that took you more than a year to find.


    Domitian AR Denarius 81 CE (Group 3)
    (3.22g)
    Obv: Head laureate right; IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT
    Rev: Draped seat, Semi-circular frame with crescents; COS VII DES VIII PP
    RIC 31; BMC 7; RSC 59
    Purchased from Munzencontor Kornblum on MA-Shops




    D31.jpg
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    A beautiful coin, Orfew. Love the toning & overall look.
     
  4. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Thanks @Mat I really appreciate the kind comments.
     
  5. Exodus_gear

    Exodus_gear Well-Known Member

    Agreed, that is some beautiful toning on the Obv.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  6. Restitutor

    Restitutor Well-Known Member


    Daaaaang that’s a one in a million! Fantastic pickup!
     
    Orfew likes this.
  7. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    Oh, that is nice!
     
    Orfew likes this.
  8. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    really nice eye appeal.Love the Flavians.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  9. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    I could have bought it for myself but I have too many Domitians o_O I have a Titus and Vespasian on the way so it's all good. Glad you got it, enjoy!
     
    Orfew likes this.
  10. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Now that my friend is simply not possible
     
  11. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Congrats, Orfew... not just rare, but lovely too!
     
    Orfew likes this.
  12. Parthicus Maximus

    Parthicus Maximus Well-Known Member

    Glad you found this one. The style is very good and the toning beautiful.
    I am curious about your paper. Where are you going to publish it?
     
    Orfew likes this.
  13. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I am going to upload it to my academia.edu account. It is not really an academic paper. It is an exploration of my collection with some musings about the mysteries with Domitian's first year denarii. It also has the PONT denarii as one focus. I have not been able to find anything written about these coins in particular. First year denarii of Domitian say something I think about the transition from the rule of Titus to that of Domitian. For example, The denarii of 81 CE for Domitian copy many revers types for Titus. I think this means sense because the death of Titus was sudden and the mints would have had to strike coins immediately.Just a theory of course but one of the things I have been thinking about.
     
  14. curtislclay

    curtislclay Well-Known Member

    Same dies as the BM specimen illustrated in RIC?
     
  15. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Fantastic coin Orfew, has really nice portrait, and detailed reverse.:D I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the material offered on MA Shops. I recently bought two from Andreas Fenzl/ one from Dirk Loebbers/ Germany. :)
    The grading is exceptional.
    John
     
  16. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

  17. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Thanks to both @curtislclay and @David Atherton . I had not taken a close look at the photo in the RIC plates before. Yes I think you are both correct.The key for me was the knot at the back of the head and the angle of the crescents on the reverse.
     
  18. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Well the coin arrived today and it is a stunner.
    new_2_D31-removebg-preview copy.jpg
    You can see hints of blue toning in the hair and in the legend between the d and m.
    New D31.jpg
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page