2 more rare coins of Domitian

I just bought these from a fellow board member. He is a collector of Domitian coins (no it is not David).



This is a first issue denarius of 86 CE. The denarii of 86 are quite scarce to very rare with the exception of a few examples in the first issue. I love the style of the portrait on this coin. The reverse may be weak but the obverse is delivered in fine style.

OCRE: 0
Acsearch: 3
CNG archives: 2

AR Denarius (19mm, 3.30g, 6h). Rome mint, struck 86 (First Issue).
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V, head laureate right; IMP XI COS XII CENS P P P, Aventine Minerva replica (ἀπεικόνισμα) standing right on processional litter (ferculum), with spear and shield, owl to right (M2).
RIC 427 (R), BMC p. 318 note , RSC 74.





In an earlier thread I posted RIC 655. A very rare example with IMP XVI on the reverse also from 88 CE. This one is very slightly later (after November 7 of 88) and is rare but not as elusive as RIC 655. It is a worn coin but it still has a nice look to it.

OCRE: 3
Acsearch: 4
CNG Archives: 1



AR Denarius (19mm, 2.88g, 5h). Rome mint, struck c. Sept 16, 88 - c. Sept 15, 89 (Second Issue).
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII, head laureate right; IMP XVII COS XIIII CENS P P P, Capitoline Minerva cult statue standing left, with spear (M4).
RIC 661 (R), BMC 150, RSC 244.

 

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Awesome acquisitions, @Orfew! Quite the collection of rare Flavian denarii you are amassing.

I somewhat recently bought this denarius of Domitian (RIC454) in a local auction. Nobody was willing to pay the opening bid, which I considered to be rather low, so I bought it in an impulse. Also from 86 AD; IMP XIIII, COS XII, which should date it to mid-September to December of this year I believe. No idea whether this is a rare issue.

 

@AnYangMan

It is a rare issue. RIC marks it as 'R'. It was minted after September of 86 CE. Most issues of 86 are rare with the exception of the first issue of 86 CE.
OCRE: 3
Acsearch: 3



It is also a nice coin. I can see why you were attracted to it. The style of the portrait is interesting.

 

Wow, thanks @Orfew! A nice surprise indeed; since it went quite cheaply, even for a common denarius of Domitian, I had expected it be a rather common issue. And indeed, the resolute, almost Augustus-like portrait is what drew me to it!

 

Personally, I'm glad to see a few others out there as enthusiastic about Domitian's Minerva series as I am. It can be rather lonely.

Congrats on the new finds!

 

Thanks @David Atherton

It was the process of researching the coins that made me appreciate the small differences that separate the coin issues. These are not just letters and numbers, they correspond to the events that occurred during the period the coins were minted. Sometimes the coins were minted during a time of war or a time of celebration. These coins are not just historical, they are history. Besides, I have always been detailed oriented and researching this series provides an opportunity to exercise this tendency.

 

At some point you will want to pick up Carradice's Coinage and Finances in the Reign of Domitian - a very worthy companion.

 

Interesting finds.

I have but one Domitian coin. I have no aggressive interest for Domitian coins, but this one is absolutely a favorite. A coin once lost then found, then lost again and yet, again found.

Rome, Italy
Roman Empire
Domitian Caesar Flavian Dynasty (b. AD 51- 96 d.)
AE As or 42 nummis (s. AD 73/4 under Vespasian) (c/m AD 520-530 Ostrogoths)
27 mm x 12.64 grams
Obverse: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIAN COS II: Bust of Domitian, laureate and drape, right
Reverse: AEQVITAS AVGVST S C: Aequitas standing left, holding scales and rod.
Ref: (Host Coin) RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 657

 

I have two denarii of Domitian that I really like. They are not the highest grade coins in my collection but I still like them. The first one is RIC 815 now thought to be the facade of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus dated 95-96 A.D. Second is RIC 331 German woman in attitude of mourning. This coin is fairly common as an aureus but more scarce as a denarius dated85 A.D.

 

Great coins @Terence Cheesman I love the RIC 331. That reverse is fantastic.

 

Both excellent coins Terrence.

 

@Orfew one of these days I'd love to see your whole Flavian collection, I bet it looks a lot like the plates in RIC Vol II.

 

Actually I don't have that many Flavian coins but i do have one that is an RIC II Plate coin It is RIC 1040 (Vespasian) on Plate 56 Domitian as Caesar Minted 77-78 A.D. Also Orfew if you ever plan to visit western Canada , let me know and we can try to get together.: )

 

Terence you certainly have some beautiful coins. I enjoy your posts.

 

That is a beauty @Terence Cheesman

Here is my RIC II reference coin, a denarius of Vespasian. It does not have a photo in RIC. I sent a photo to Ted Buttrey a few months before he passed away.




Vespasian (69-79). AR Denarius (18.08mm, 3.50g, 6h). Rome, AD 75.
Obv: Bare head l. R IMP CEASAR VESPASIANUS AUG
Rev: Pax seated l., resting l. elbow on throne and holding branch.
PON MAX TRP COS VI
RIC II 773 (this coin); RSC –. Extremely Rare variety, near VF.
Ex Vecchi sale 13, 1998, 757.
Ex: St Paul Antiques auction 7 Lot 285 June 11, 2017
Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database.

 

I am also a footnote in RIC II page 44 note 39

 

I just looked it up. That is very cool. That is an interesting hypothesis concerning the relationship between the Ephesian and 'O' mint denarii. I have several coins from the Ephesus mint for Vespasian and 1 'O' mint coin of Vespasian. I am however always on the lookout for more.

 

I got interested in the series and noticed that after the EPHE group there were two groups the star group and the star annulet O issue. I thought that there should be a connection with the annulet issue and noticed some similarities between the two groups. This information I sent to I. Carradice and we corresponded for a while and he wasnice enough to credit me with that thought.

 

I'd love to be a footnote in RIC.

 

Wonderful coins Terrence!

I have recently shared my Domitian temple denarius elsewhere on CT. Here is my 'Germania Capta' which I haven't shown off in a while.

Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.20g
Rome mint, 85 AD
RIC 331 (R2). BMC 82. RSC 181.
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Bust of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis
Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POTES P P; Germania seated r. on shield; below, broken spear
Ex Roma Auction V, 23 March 2013, lot 728.

There is much more to Domitian's denarii than Minerva.