Attention all YN! If you are interested in picking up a neat Roman bronze from the late First century (one of the Twelve Caesars no less!) please let me know in this thread. I'll conduct a random drawing in one week (Thursday 23 September) to pick the winner and announce it here. This is an excellent opportunity to either start an ancients collection or add to one you've already started. Here is the coin. Domitian Æ As, 10.62g Rome mint, 87 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XIII CENS PER P P; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI; S C in field; Virtus stg. r., foot on helmet, with spear and parazonium RIC 550 (C3). BMC 404. BNC 435. Gifted from Ken Dorney, September 2021. The Virtus type was struck repeatedly on Domitian's middle bronzes from 84 onwards. I. Carradice in his 1983 monograph on Domitian's coinage says the following concerning the type - 'Virtus is a military type, symbolic of the courage of Domitian and the mutual devotion between the army and emperor.' Virtus first appears on the coinage in the flurry of Germania Capta types that were struck soon after Domitian's German triumph. She is seen on this common As from 87 impressively depicted in traditional Amazon attire. Good luck!
David, that is a nice coin and very considerate of you to offer it to a YN. When the forum had all that in-fighting and snarking, I began to loose interest; however, posts like these restore my faith in this group. We have some of the finest posters here on Coin Talk, generally speaking.
Sounds most interesting. Not sure if I have a "Domitian". I think I have a small "Titus" that is it is inscribed "Ti Caesar". I am certain it is not "Tiberius" and not the Tiberius of late years, so I am guessing. My collecting has hit a snag for over a year due to a fiasco with an 'eCove' vendor. It has made me question whether I am looking at my love of ancient history or a bunch of millwork from some lowlife in China. Probably not all but would need to invest in a heavy scope to satisfy myself and not ready to do that.
Although I am an infant (11 months old) in collecting ancient coins, at 36 I am not young anymore. Only in spirit. Hope this nice As will go to a beginner who loves ancient coins! I would surely add it into my collection. @Michael W. Bradley - TI CAESAR could indicate Augustus, Tiberius or Titus restoration series. You could start a new topic about that coin and I am sure it will be attributed.
Thank you @David Atherton for the giveaway! I enjoy reading your posts. And thanks @Bradley Trotter, was just finishing up some work before posting.
Hello Sir, I would be very interested as That is my goal, 12 Caesar’s, and that’s a nice coin. I throw my hat in the ring. Mammothtooth.."
It would help a lot if everyone would fill out their CT profile completely and honestly to include age (at least generally) and location, again generally - not specific, to include country. I have given coins to YN but will not be paying international postage to send a $5 coin to Italy where they have them in wholesale quantities as it is. How old is too old to be a YN? Vodka Taster??
I will throw my chance out there.. I'm 19 as on my profile. June 18 You sure have. Greatest gift I have ever received in this hobby as an introduction to ancient coins. Quickly has become the bulk of my purchases thanks to you. I have a few coins from Ken Dorney. Here are the two I have photographed, there may be 1 more. Claudius II tetradrachm of Alexandria Gordian III Sestertius, Rome
I'm only 17 so I'd like to add myself as well! Would be great to add a Domitian imperial with such complete legends to my Ancients collection.
My last kid left home 14 years ago (on the end of my boot), and that was like a rebirth for me, making today's me a teen...does that count? ------------------------------- All kidding aside, that's a beautiful coin and a very generous offer for a young collector - someone's going to have an early Christmas!
Well, I might as well try. I am indeed a YN at 19. I don’t have any 1st century bronzes apart from a worn slick Claudius, and this one looks like a very nice example. I appreciate your kindness and this opportunity.