Minerva in Bronze

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Apr 13, 2021.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    I have a fondness for Domitian's first year bronzes, which are somewhat overshadowed by the contemporaneous massive denarius issues. Recently I came across this fine example.


    D87.jpg Domitian
    Æ As, 11.10g
    Rome mint, 81 AD
    Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
    Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; S C in field; Minerva adv. r., with spear and shield
    RIC 87 (C). BMC 269. BNC 279.
    Acquired from Ken Dorney, March 2021.

    A common As from Domitian's first bronze issue struck in late 81. The reverse features his patron deity Minerva in a design which would later become more familiar on his denarii. It is likely based on a cult image.

    For comparison, here is the same Minerva type struck for a denarius.

    D435b.jpg
    Domitian
    AR Denarius, 2.98g
    Rome mint, 86 AD
    Obv: IMP•CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
    Rev: IMP XII COS XII CENS P P P; Minerva adv. r., with spear and shield (M1)
    RIC 435 (R). BMC 93. RSC 201b. BNC 97.
    Ex Dionysos, eBay, April 2016.

    Do you have a coin type that is more commonly seen on another denomination? If so, I'd like to see it!
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2021
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  3. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    Here is my variation of Domitian AS with left facing bust and left facing Minerva.

    upload_2021-4-14_0-42-36.jpeg
     
  4. Parthicus Maximus

    Parthicus Maximus Well-Known Member

  5. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    That's a sweet coin!
     
    octavius likes this.
  6. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Just got one of these. Mine's not nearly as nice as yours, @David Atherton

    The only thing about it I thought a bit noteworthy was the very large obverse lettering - I looked at quite a few of them, and this one was the only one I could find with such large lettering. At first I thought it might be an Eastern mint, which got my tail wagging, but no such thing exists for this issue. The portrait looks more Vespasian than Domitian too, but that might be from the gloppy patina it is afflicted with.

    Domitian - As Minerva w aegis advancing rt., COS VII DES VIII RIC 87 - MINEpic0.jpg
    Domitian Æ As
    (81 A.D.) Rome Mint

    IMP CA[ES] DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN A[VG P M], laureate head right /
    TR P COS VII [DES VIII P] P, S-C, Minerva advancing right, brandishing spear and holding round shield on left RIC II.1 (2nd) 87; BMCRE 268.
    (10.38 grams / 28 x 24 mm) eBay June 2023
     
  7. Dafydd

    Dafydd Supporter! Supporter

    Nice coins all!
    Here is my Domitian Minerva denarius.
    upload_2023-7-13_21-18-21.png
    Domitian, 81-96 Denarius 92-93, AR 18.5mm., 3.40g. Laureate head r. Rev. Minerva standing r. on capital of rostral column, brandishing spear and holding round shield; at feet to right, owl standing facing. RIC 740. C 281.
     
  8. Curtis

    Curtis Well-Known Member

    Here's a Provincial Domitian from Anazarbos (sorry, I've probably posted before).

    You can't see Minerva on this one because she's still inside Zeus/Jupiter. Later, she'll burst forth from his head (usually with the help of Vulcan), fully clad in the armor that her mother, Metis, forged while inside Zeus' belly. (Zeus ate the pregnant Metis to keep Athena/Minerva from being born and overthrowing him. Didn't work!)

    9127401.jpg

    (Lindgren I 2192 [corr.] = Lindgren III 773 = Ziegler 73.3 = RPC I [Supplement 1: p. 50], 5146 ["Delete"!] = RPC II 1750.2 = this coin)
     
  9. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    I have read that Domitianus had "a thing" for Minerva...

    Here is a sestertius I have depicting Domitian worshipping at Minervas temple.

    Domitian sestertius - Minerva Temple - OBV:REV - GP - 2023.png
     
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