Unabashedly, it was the portrait that attracted me to this sestertius struck for Domitian in 81. I can forgive the wear. The style is somewhat finer than seen on the contemporary denarii. Domitian Æ Sestertius, 25.82g Rome mint, 81 AD RIC 78 (C2). BMC 261. Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; S C in field; Minerva stg. l., with spear Acquired from Vilmar, December 2018. While Domitian's initial denarius output is dominated by the carry-over pulvinaria types from Titus, his first issue of sestertii have a more personal touch with the reverses featuring his patron deity Minerva. These first bronze coins were not struck in massive quantities and likely date between mid October and 31 December 81. The reverse legend indicates he is consul for the seventh time and has already been voted as consul for the eighth time beginning 1 January 82. It came slabbed. It is no longer. I love the portrait so much that this coin may make it into my 2018 top ten!
That is a very regal portrait of good 'ol Dom! Congrats! And your photo at the end, which I assume is what it looks more like in hand, there is a beautiful softness to it, with the yellow brass and less contrast-y than the seller's images. Nice one, @David Atherton!
Oh, yes. To me, it's all about the contrasting patina. I love that brassy orichalcum with that appearance.
That is a fine portrait and what remains of the reverse is also excellent. The slab was a cheap model so we are left to wonder if the graders would have recognized the fine style with all that wear. The full service slabs are give the 'Fine Style' note when the deserving coin is mint state but the prejudice against worn coins prevents most people from recognizing the good dies from worn examples. I would be proud to own the coin and am thrilled that it found a home where it can be appreciated. Domitian was a rarity among emperors in that he had his portraits done to look like he wished he looked rather than the ugly truth. There were some good portrait artists in his mint. I suspect the poor ones were reassigned to salt mines or something else more in keeping with their lack of skill. My sestertius is not as pretty but still not looking like a son of Vespasian. Question: Can anyone show an NGC full service slab graded F or below that does bear the 'Fine Style' note? Perhaps people who recognize the worthy but worn coins know better than to send in for grading a coin that would be valued under the cost of the service so they may not exist. If there are two coins struck from the same die but one is MS and the other F, either both or neither show fine style. Style was a feature of the die. Wear, strike and surface came later. Obviously it is possible for those three factors to make a coin less attractive and I would not expect the flag on a F 1/5, 1/5 but coins with 5/5's retain their style and beauty to some of us.
I like that a lot - worn coins tend to be what I can afford, so perhaps I am prejudiced in their favor, but this one is lovely, from the exquisite portrait to that mellow old brassy tone.
Domitian is one of the few emperors that we know of that took great pride and care in his coinage. We see this in his idealised portraits, his increase of the coinage's quality in 82, and the prevalence of his personal deity Minerva. With his minions at the mint currying favour it had to be a hellish place for the engravers.
I have a Domitian I feel the same way about. I feel that this portrait was engraved by someone with a lot of experience and really trying to please the emperor. I also really like the reverse. Ruler: Domitian (Augustus) Coin: VF- Brass Sestertius IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P - Bust of Domitian, laureate, right with aegis S C - Domitian standing left sacrificing out of patera over lighted altar in front of distyle shrine enclosing statue of Minerva Exergue: Mint: Rome (85 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 23.79g / 35mm / 6h Rarity: Scarce References: RIC II, part I (second edition) Domitian 355 Cohen : 491 Provenances: Numisaisne Acquisition/Sale: Numisaisne Internet Website $0.00 08/18 Notes: Aug 31, 18 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection
A recognisably fine portrait despite the wear. @dougsmit had asked if anyone knew of an NGC slabbed coin graded F or below with the 'Fine Style' note. I would like to see one too.
