My camera skills are rough to say the least, but here is my first EVER ancient. DOMITIAN, as Caesar. 79 AD. AR Denarius (3.28 gm). Obverse: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS VI, laureate head right Reverse: PRINCIPS IVVENTVTIS, clasped hand holding standard over prow. RIC II 246
Practice makes perfect with the photos. Ask yourself what about this one would be better changed and give it a try. Domitian will pose without complaint. It is a much nicer coin than most of us call 'first'.
I noticed you were from Ohio which is where I found the shop that provided the coins I have been posting recently (but in Dayton). They had three Tribute Pennies of Tiberius --- all fakes. They did not know enough to know the difference. That is unfortunately standard for small shops with lots of US business. Don't make one of them your 2/12 Caesar. I know nothing about shops in your area but would not be surprised if someone in town had a few ancients or could tell you of coin shows that might be worth attending. Ask. Your Domitian dates from the life of his father Vespasian. You also can find coins of his from the reign of his brother Titus and from his time as full Augustus. Many people begin collecting one per ruler but most get over that idea about the time they run across another Domitian that they really like. We here on CT will make it worse by showing coins you might want to consider. I'm a little surprised no one has posted their Domitians or their shaking hands or their completely unrelated coins that they just can't help from posting again and again. Maybe that is because you only posted a half hour ago. We must be patient.
Thanks for the comments Doug. CT has me looking at all kinds of ancients not just the 12 Caesars. Most of the coins catching my attention are the ones with animals on the back. My wife and I are volunteers with the Columbus Zoo (Jack Hanna's place) so animals seem pretty fitting. I have a few more coming I purchased from a CT member. Can't wait to share and see some more eye candy.
Ain't that the truth. My very first Ancient was a Marcus Antonius Legionary Denarius. I was stuck from this very first purchase. I paid a lot for a coin I couldn't afford at the time. This is a nice coin Shernan, especially for a first coin. My only advice to you is to keep on buying coins that are pleasing to you. Don't just grab the first thing that comes along. Your camera skills WILL improve as long as you keep trying.
Atta boy, shernan => Welcome to the Land of Misfit Toys!! => man, that's a fantastic first ancient (it's a winner) I only have one Domitian example ... Domitian AR Denarius Domitian & Minerva ... oh, and don't forget to have some fun!!
I liked the clasped hands. 1 of my topical/themed collections is "coins with hands" I have zero ancient coins yet. maybe in the far future.
I just noticed this thread once I went back on-line so...WELCOME 'sherman30' !!! And, I have a few of Domitian, but my best is a denarius which I'll post. My first ancient coin was a bagful of uncleaned types and then it all got out of hand LOL My photo skills are 'frozen' at the moment, but will improve a bit as the weeks fly by---- at least I hope so. I still need a stand and lighting etc. etc. And an unoccupied space to set things up....
I own three "clasped Hands coins, but here are two: NERVA AR Denarius OBVERSE: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head right REVERSE: CONCORDIA EXCERCITVVM, clasped hands holding legionary eagle resting on prow Struck at Rome 96 AD 2.9g, 18mm RIC 3 D. JUNIUS ALBINUS; GENS POSTUMIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Hd of pietas r; PIETAS REVERSE: Clasped hands on caduceus; ALBINVS BRVTI.F Rome 48 BC 3.91g. 19mm Syd 942
Like Bing, I also have a Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus, with a handshake, to offer. Junius Brutus Albinus is known as one of the co-conspirators and assassins of Julius Caesar. According to Historian, Nicolaus of Damascus, Junius Brutus dealt the final blow to Caesar; striking him in the side.
Thanks for all the comments. I'm very excited about having this coin as my first of many to come. Nice coins everyone.