Domitian struck the Minerva denarius types for 13 years - many are ho-hum, a few are just sublime. I think this one is the latter. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.55g Rome mint, 85 AD Obv: IMP CAES•DOMIT AVG•GERM•P•M•TR•P•V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP•XI•COS•XI CENS•P•P•P; Minverva stg. l., with spear (M4) RIC 393 (R). BMC 87. RSC 189. BNC -. Ex Asta 91, 15-16 December 2020, lot 173. All the denarii from Domitian's sixth issue of 85 are extremely rare. It is the first denarius issue which marks Domitian's assumption of the perpetual censorship (CENS P). Of note, both obv. and rev. legends on this example are riddled with spacing dots, a trademark of these issues. Any comments or related coins are welcomed!
Here's the Domitian/Minerva I had in my old Twelve Caesars collection. It was very bright and sharp. I thought it deserved XF, but NGC had different ideas. Not that that mattered much.
I bought this from Forvm a few months ago, I wasn't planning to buy a Domitian but this reverse of Minerva really stood out to me.
A beautiful coin. I will give you a Duke Snider signed Baseball and a Sandy Koufax signed picture and Baseball card.......PLUS A photo of myself signed with COA for the coin. Bonus, a vial of Nebraska soil...and my blood, O Pos.
That is a great coin David! I agree with you, sometimes the portraits of Domitian are just breathtakingly beautiful. Here is another rare one with a great portrait. RIC 435
Beautiful!! This is still my only Domitian denarius, but I picked it for its style. Would love to find a similar one with little wear: RIC 572, issued first half of 88 (common)
These appear to be from the same engraver. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.06g Rome mint, 86 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP XI COS XII CENS P P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1) RIC 425 (R). BMC 88. RSC 194. BNC -. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.23g Rome mint, 86 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP XI COS XII CENS P P P; Minerva stg. l., with spear (M4) RIC 431 (R). BMC p. 318, *. RSC 182. BNC 93. Acquired from Aegean Numismatics, March 2014.
Thanks! I see it on the first one, not sure about the second... maybe I just prefer this guy's work with a little wear!
Wonderful coin @David Atherton! I really like these fine style denarii. Domitian 81-96 AD AR Denarius Struck 86 AD (second issue) IMP•CAES DOMIT AVG•GERM P M TR P V. laureate head right IMP•XII COS XII CENS•P•P•P• Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column, holding spear and shield, owl at foot right (M2) 2,88g/20,5mm Ric 437 (R) Ex Historische Münzen & Medaillen Domitian 81-96 AR Denarius Struck 87 AD (first issue) IMP•CAES•DOMIT•AVG GERM•P M•TR P VI Laureate head of Domitian facing right. IMP XIIII COS XIII CENS P P P Minerva standing left, holding spear in right hand. (M4) 3,34g/20mm Ric 511 (C) Ex Kölner Münzkabinett
A great coin @David Atherton -- interesting to see. I have no rarities from Domitian, but I do have a Minerva to share: Domitian AR Denarius, Rome, AD 93-94 Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XIII, laureate head right Rev: IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P, Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear; shield at side Ref: RIC 763
I have only this one Domitian denarius: Domitian (son of Vespasian) AR Denarius 88-89 AD. Obv. Laureate head right, IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TRP VIII/ Rev. Minerva advancing right w/javelin & shield, IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS PPP. RIC II-1 667 (2007 ed.), old RIC II 137 (1926 ed.), RSC II 252, BMCRE 151. 17.78 mm., 3.42 g. Ex: Gorny & Mosch.