I was at a coins show this morning. There was only one dealer with ancient coins. As it happens he is a friend- Gary Miller of Londinium coins. I found this Domitian within the first 2 minutes but I spent some time looking through his other available coins. I saw a few nice Domitian sestertii and a really rare Dupondius from the first year of issue. When I saw this denarius I knew I had to have it. I have been looking for a coin with this very rare dating combination for at least 2 years. I saw one become available from the same issue but not the same Minerva stance last year. It was bought by Jay. I hope if he reads this he will post it. The portrait is great. The photo does not capture the iridescence on the obverse.The reverse is not as nice. There are some accretions on the figure of Minerva. That did not dissuade me however because I knew that if I let it get away it might be years before another came my way. The coin is much darker than the photo below. Look carefully at the bust. You can actually see the side burns and the beard! Forum gallery= 0 OCRE= 0 RIC= 2 Acsearch= 1 Coryssa= 0 Not on WildWinds Not in Cohen Not in BMCRE Domitian AR denarius 88 CE Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VII; Laureate head right Rev: IMP XV COS XIIII CENS P P P RIC 592 (R2) Purchased from Gary Miller Londinium Coins
Nice pick up Andrew. I love how the portrait has traces of a 5 o’clock shadow. My humble Domitian is nothing to write home about but here she is I need to take a new photo of this one at some point.
Thanks @Nemo for the kind words, they are appreciated. I agree with you about the portrait, it is stunning in person.
Which is why I describe Domitian's obverses as laureate and bearded! On most specimens the beard is worn away and people assume he doesn't have one. I only have one coin from this issue, very rare indeed. Nice catch! Domitian AR Denarius, 3.45g Rome mint, 88 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP XV COS XIIII CENS P P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1) RIC 591 (R2). BMC 129. RSC 242. BNC 119. Acquired from Praefectus Coins, April 2014.
Glad you got one Andrew, I guess I missed this one in Gary's tray or assumed I already had it. Congrats! Here's the one you missed IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VII Laureate head right IMP XV COS XIIII CENS P P P Minerva advancing right with spear and shield January 1- September 13, 88 AD Rome 3.2g RIC 591 (R2)
That really is an unusual and wonderful portrait of Loki Domitian! Totally looks like Tom Hiddleston:
It is a beautiful coin, @Orfew ! You made the right decision to purchase it. My Æ Domitian from Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch
I was finally able to get a shot of the coin the way it actually looks. When I took the original I could not get the lighting right. Imho the obverse portrait is stunning.