I've always wanted a decent example of this fairly common type struck at Lugdunum for Domitian Caesar. Having a bit patience for such a prevalent coin can pay off - an inexpensive example with good eye appeal is not uncommon. Domitian as Caesar Æ As, 10.03g Lyon mint, 77-78 AD (Vespasian) Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.; globe at point of bust Rev: S C in field; Spes stg. l., with flower RIC 1290 (C3). BMC 873. BNC 885. Acquired from Redoubt Numismatics, eBay, April 2020. The Flavian provincial branch mint at Lugdunum (modern Lyon) resumed production in 77-78 after a lengthy hiatus, presumably to address a bronze coinage shortage in the Western provinces. Coins were issued for Vespasian and both of his sons, with reverse types often shared between them. By far the most common type struck for Domitian Caesar was Spes, the goddess of hope. She is seen in her standard pose with lifted skirt and holding a flower, probably based on a familiar cult image. The handsome portrait in good Lugdunese style is an added bonus. Post your cheap common cuties!
Just looking at the portrait, I would never have guessed that was Domitian. Nice catch @David Atherton
That’s a really nice Domitian potrait, David. I like the reverse too, but it looks like it could benefit from a little cleaning? Domitian has been a kind of «fly-over» emperor for me all the years I’ve been into imperial coins. I am gradually starting to appreciate his coinage now (thanks to the postings from you and Orfew, among others). I tend to prefer the early portraits or the portraits on provincial coins. I bought this «common and comely» denarius earlier this year:
Mine, under Titus, is not all that 'comely' whether or not it is common. I have always been fond of my Titus sestertius ex. Ed Waddell 1988. Even then I could not afford Ed's coins unless they were Bronze Disease survivors (clean for 32 years).
Had to look up what comely means. Thank you for enriching my English. And the coin does indeed look comely.
I suppose all languages play this game but English doe seem to have more words than necessary. However many/most have some particular shade of meaning different from the rest. My favorite for this coin would be 'fetching' since 'comely' is more often said of women and a comely Domitian is stretching the point a mite. Fetching even suggests we might want to 'fetch' one of these for ourselves. From a dictionary online: come·ly /ˈkəmlē/ Learn to pronounce adjective ARCHAIC•HUMOROUS adjective: comely; comparative adjective: comelier; superlative adjective: comeliest (typically of a woman) pleasant to look at; attractive. "the comely Italian actress Valeria Golino" Similar: attractive good-looking nice-looking beautiful pretty handsome lovely stunning striking arresting gorgeous prepossessing winning fetching captivating bewitching beguiling engaging charming charismatic enchanting appealing delightful irresistible sexy sexually attractive sexual seductive alluring tantalizing ravishing desirable sultry sensuous sensual erotic arousing luscious lush nubile bonny fanciable beddable tasty hot knockout drop-dead gorgeous out of this world easy on the eye come-hither come-to-bed smashing cute foxy bootylicious spunky beauteous taking well favored fair sightly pulchritudinous Opposite: ugly
The reverse of Spes is female and can, therefore, be correctly described as comely. I believe that David was merely exercising alliterative flair and not trying to be literal.
Yea, I was just trying to come up with a word beginning with 'c' that agreed with 'common'. Admittedly, 'comely' does stretch the point a bit. The Spes reverse was my loophole with the feminine word choice. Alternative title: A Fetching Frugal Find.
Here's another Domitian that I got from a London Ancient Coin "buy or make an offer" leftovers from a recent auction. I offered a price that I was surprised, was accepted. Domitian (Augustus) Coin: Bronze As IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XV CENS PER P P - Laureate head right FORTVNAE AVGVSTI S-C - Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. Exergue: Mint: Rome (90-91 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 10.89g / 27mm / 5h References: RIC II 707 Provenances: London Ancient Coins (LAC) Acquisition/Sale: London Ancient Coins (LAC) Internet $0.00 10/19 Notes: Nov 5, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection
