The first coin is surprisingly rare. It is one of the carry over Pulvinar types used earlier by Titus. However instead of the 3 crescents above the semi-circular frame this coin has corn ears (as is also seen on the triangular framed pulvinar type-RIC 3). This is a group 4 denarius from Domitian's first year as Augustus (81 CE). Group 4 coins tend to be overall more common than group 2 or 3 coins. However, there are some rarities in group 4. This includes some PONT denarii. This denarius, however, has the obverse legend used on many of the more common coins in the group (IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PM). Domitian AR Denarius 81 CE (Group 4) Rome (17mm 3.19g) Obv: Laureate head right, IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Rev: Seat draped, above semi-circular frame decorated with corn ears; TR P COS VII DES VIII PP RIC 64 (R), BMC --, RSC-- Savoca Auctions 6th Blue Auction October 5, 2019 The second coin is the rarer of the 2. It is a PONT denarius. this makes my fourth PONT denarius. I was lucky to get this before some other eagle eyed Flavian collector saw it. I know of 3 other examples of this coin. One is owned by a Flavian specialist on Forum Ancient Coins, one is owned by another Forum Ancient Coins member, and the 3rd is the RIC reference coin which is owned by Curtis Clay. This coin is RIC 29. I also happen to own RIC 28. RIC 28 uses the obverse legend used on more common coins: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M. RIC 28 is another rare coin (R2) and it features a different Minerva than RIC 29. RIC 29 has the Minerva holding Victory and with spear while RIC 28 does not have the Minerva with Victory. There are only 3 coin types for Domitian that include Minerva with Victory and spear (RIC 29, 30, & 99). It so happens that I now have RIC 29 and RIC 99. Of these 3 types RIC 99 is the most common, but it is still designated as rare. I quite like the Minerva with Victory type and wish they would have used it more often. The coin is a bit rough, but i think the portrait has a lot of charm. Seller's photo used with permission. Domitian AR Denarius 81 CE (Group 3) Rome (20 mm ) Obv: Head laureate right; IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT Rev: Minerva standing left with victory and spear, shield at feet; COS VII DES VIII P P RIC 29 (R3) Not in the RIC plates Purchased from ebay October 3, 2019.
Both great coins @Orfew. I really like the top coin. Thanks for sharing some more of your amazing collection.
I believe these are numismatic representations of cult images. Of course, some were more favoured than others. To see just how far back the Minerva holding Victory goes, you need to look no further than a recent post by @Michael Stolt showing off his beautiful RR example of the type. The mint had a memory.
Good eye. Yes, the pulvinar is the seat of the gods. There were a whole series of these under Titus and then continued under Domitian.
Ah, thanks. I looked at it first and thought it may have been some type of shrine or altar and then posted before reading your description...
