Here are two recent arrivals, both were struck for Domitian. The first as Caesar under Vespasian in bronze, the next as Augustus in silver. Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian] Æ As, 9.87g Rome mint, 73-74 AD Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIAN COS II; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: S C in field; Domitian riding l., r. hand raised, holding sceptre RIC 672 (R). BMC 689. BNC 704. Acquired from Kölner, April 2021. This rare bronze As copies a triumphal reverse more commonly found on Domitian Caesar's early denarii at Rome. It commemorates his participation in Vespaisan and Titus's joint Judaean War Triumph in 71 - 'while taking part in the Judaean triumph, he rode on a white horse' (Suetonius, Domitian, ii). Bizarrely, H. Mattingly in BMCRE II describes the sceptre Domitian is holding on the reverse as sporting a human head(!) and RIC notes (p. 106) that on some examples 'the sceptre knop clearly has a human head'. This example is sufficiently worn I can't tell either way. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.25g Rome mint, 88 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIAN AVG GERMANICVS; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: COS XIIII across field; Minerva stg. r. on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to r., owl (M2) RIC 564 (R2). BMC p. 328 *. RSC 68. BNC -. Ex CNG E490, 21 April 2021, lot 296. From the Peter J. Merani Collection, purchased from Sam Kazmi. This denarius is part of a short lived but remarkable issue struck in early 88. It features an extremely rare obverse legend (notice the full spellings of GERMANICVS and DOMITIAN) combined with the simple design of COS XIIII across the reverse field. Also of note, the TR P and IMP numbers are absent. Only a handful of specimens are known with RIC citing 3 examples from Berlin, Madrid, and a private collection. Missing from both the extensive BM and Paris collections. All the coins from the series are struck on large flans in fine style. Thank you for looking!
Two great coins but I love the triumphal AE. Incredible historical type but especially for Flavian collectors.
Very nice, @David Atherton! I need to get a Minerva type with her cute little owl! No owl But you gotta like Domitian's smug smirk!
Very nice!....I've yet to purchase a Minerva reverse for Domitian... My first was this one... Domitian. 81-96 AR Denarius (3.17 gm, 18mm). Rome mint. Struck 81 AD. Obv.: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M, laureate head right. Rev.: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P, tripod surmounted by a dolphin right. RIC II 74.
Wow @David Atherton that is some wonderful toning on the D564. That would be a highlight of any collection. Here are a couple of my favorites for Domitian. RIC 145 RIC 854
