Latest Denarii Domitian & Domna

These denarii were part of my larger posters but since they're the most recent additions to my Roman collection I wanted to show them individually. I'm really excited about them and I'm also delighted with the fast and excellent service I received from two of my favorite dealers.

 

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Nice additions.

Own many domnas, here's a random one.


Julia Domna (194 - 217 A.D)
AR Denarius
O: IVLIA AVGVSTA; Draped bust right.
R : MATER DEVM; Cybele seated left between two lions, wearing towered crown, branch in right hand, scepter in left hand, resting left arm on drum.
Rome Mint 205 A.D.
19mm
3.01g
Reference: RIC IVa 564, p. 169.


Domitian (81 - 96 A.D.)
SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch
AR Tetradrachm
O: AVT KAISAR DOMITIANOS SEB GERM, laureate head right; aegis at point of bust.
R: ETOUS NEOV IEROV H, eagle standing facing right on thunderbolt; palm in right field. RY 8 (88/9 AD)
14.77g
26mm
Prieur 145; RPC II 1978; Wruck 108

 

Great coins, Deacon.

Here's my Julia Domna



And my Domitian

 

Nice silvers, @Deacon Ray!! You're Minerva looks kinda sassy... Mmmhmmm *snap*

 

I particularly like the Domna/Diana. Mine is earlier and Eastern mint.


Just another Domitian denarius:

 

@Deacon Ray, both coins are quite exquisite. Very nice details on the Domitian too - you can even see traces of his mutton chop beard.

 

Lovely coins @Deacon Ray

I particularly like the portrait on the Domitian.

 

fine coins D RAY!

 

Excellent, @Mat ! The Domitian eagle is very handsome!

Stellar coins, @Sallent ! Not at all "Bottom Feeder" material

Now that you mention it, @Justin Lee —Minerva looks like she's showing some attitude!

Beautiful denarii, Mr @dougsmit ! Thank you for posting, sir!

@David Atherton —Yes, Lord Domitian is definitely sporting mutton chops, @Orfew , & @ominus1 —Thank you for your comments!

 

Here is a rare Domitian that looks like an ordinary ubiquitous denarius. Can anyone tell me why it is special?



Domitianus (81 - 96 AD).
Denarius. 83 AD Rome.
(20 mm 3.47 g)
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M. Head with laurel wreath on the right.
Rev: TR POT II COS VIIII DES XP P. Minerva with lance and shield on capital standing to the right, in front of it an owl.
RIC 164; C.606; BMC 4

Ex: Silbury Coins January 28 2018

 

Hmmm... Throwing out a guess... It's it the direction of the obverse legend?

 

Beautiful coins!

 

No, that is not it. It is the first issue of the Minvera denarii that would dominate the issues of Domitian. Another interesting fact is that it was part of Domitian's monetary reform. This denarius was minted at nearly 100% silver.

 

Once I had someone email me asking why I described both Titus and Domitian as 'bearded' in my Forvm gallery. He stated that he was writing a sci-fi novel set in ancient Rome starring Titus(!) and wanted to be able to describe his appearance accurately. I explained that on unworn coins they both sport mutton chop beards, but most folks overlook the fact. I never heard from him again and to my knowledge the book has not been published.

 

Both very nice

 

Nice exemplars !

 

Do you attribute the lack of beards to wear all the time or was Domitian an intermittent shaver. Are there more beards at certain times like when he was mourning his predecessors, for example?

 

I believe both Titus and Domitian were always depicted with a beard. The fact that it's not a full beard, but rather a thin mutton chop affair, attributes to it being the first thing to wear off during circulation. Traces of it can normally be seen near the ear and under the chin.

I do not discount the possibility that there may be a few coins with beardless portraits, if so, they are not the norm.

 

Sweet coins @Deacon Ray ! I'm a bit envious.