Leu win: Domitian denarius with Aegis

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Orfew, Jul 1, 2019.

  1. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I have actively looking for Domitian denarii with the CENS POT reverse legend. They are all rare coins and do not show up very often. I absolutely love the portraits on these issues. Imho they are of fine style.

    The other type I have been looking for features the CENS POT reverse legend and Aegis on the obverse portrait. The use of Aegis on denarii of Domitian is also rare.

    This first coin is the portrait without Aegis and is RIC 333. The second coin is my win from yesterday. It is RIC 336. Both coins are R2.

    I am thrilled that I was able to find one of these. Please post your favourite coins of Domitian.


    domitian RIC 333.jpg

    Domitian AR Denarius
    (20.5 mm 3.22 g)
    Obv: Laureate head r, IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P IIII
    Rev: Minerva stg r on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to r owl
    IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P
    RIC 333; BMC 78(cross symbol), Cohen 180 RSC 180
    Purchased from Phillipe Saive Numimatique March 15, 2019
    Coin depicted on the Wildwinds database


    Domitian RIC 336 Leu.jpg
    Domitian, 81-96. Denarius 85 CE Fourth Issue
    (Silver, 20 mm, 3.32 g, 6 h), Rome.
    Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII Laureate head of Domitian to right, wearing aegis.
    Rev. IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P Minerva standing front, head to left, holding thunderbolt in her right hand and a spear in her left; behind her, shield.
    BMC 79. Cohen 178 var. (without aegis). RIC 336 (R2).
    Leu Numismatic E-Auction 8 Lot 1038 June 30, 2019.
     
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  3. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Nice aegis portrait Andrew, however, we may be in danger of OD'ing CT on Domitian denarii. [​IMG]

    With that in mind, I'll show an off-beat Domitian provincial, just to spice things up a bit.

    RPC1666.jpg
    Domitian
    AR Didrachm, 6.38g
    Rome mint (for Cappadocia), 93-94 AD
    RPC 1666 (18 spec.).
    Obv: AYT KAI ΔOMITIANOC CЄBACTOC ΓЄPM; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
    Rev : No legend; emperor in quadriga, r., holding laurel branch in r. hand, sceptre in l. hand
    Ex Lanz, eBay, November 2017.
     
  4. Finn235

    Finn235 Well-Known Member

    Nice one! I agree, quite a lovely portrait. Did you bid on that Secular Games as of his? I put in probably the highest bid I've ever bid on a middle bronze, and still soundly lost.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  5. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    No, for the moment I am only collecting the denarii. I did see it however and knew it would bring a strong price.
     
  6. SeptimusT

    SeptimusT Well-Known Member

    I don't have any Roman coins with an aegis, other than some Alexandrians with little detail remaining. Here's a Menander I drachm with a nicely detailed aegis on Athena's shield. The Gorgon face reminds me a lot of the one on the OP denarius.

    [​IMG]
    Menander, Indo-Greek King circa 165-130 BC
    Obverse
    : Diademed, bare-headed bust of king right, discontinuous Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ MENANΔPOY
    Reverse: Seen from behind, Athena Alkidemos standing left, holding horizontal shield and hurling thunderbolt, monogram at left, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa tratarasa menamdrasa
     
  7. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Great acquisition

    [​IMG]
    Domitianus, As - Rome mint, AD 85
    IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS XI, Laureate bust of Domitian right wearing Aegis
    MONETA AVGVSTI, Moneta standing left, holding cornucopia and scales. SC in field
    11.08 gr
    Ref : Cohen #325, RCV #2807v

    Q
     
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  8. AussieCollector

    AussieCollector Moderator Moderator

    Great Domitian!

    Leu was a win for many of us! :)
     
    Orfew likes this.
  9. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    The coin finally arrived and I am just thrilled! The condition is much nicer than the Leu photo would have you believe. There is a lovely light toning on both sides of the coin. However, for me the shock was the portrait. In the original photo it is a nice portrait, but in hand the portrait is simply superb. I wish I could take a better photo. This coin is near ef. In hand you can see the face of Minerva. I am incredibly happy to add this one to my collection of Domitian denarii.

    Domitian RIC 336 new.jpg
     
  10. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Domitian As Rv Fides stg right. RIC 486 86 A.D. 11.97 grms 29 mm domitas3.JPG
     
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  11. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Another coin that I really like is this one Domitian as Caesar under Vespasian Ae sestertius Rv Annona std l. RIC 1040 This coin plated 77-78 A.D. 26.41 grms 33 mm domits3.jpg
     
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  12. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

  13. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    My personal favorite Domitian is a low grade Eastern (EPE) Concordia denarius with a nose making you wonder if they knew Nerva.
    rb1410bb0975.jpg
     
  14. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    That is a coin I would be proud to have. The Ephesus portraits of Domitian are very special imho. I also love the dark toning on it.
     
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