I fell in love with this sestertius at first sight. Fine style combined with good condition made for an irresistible piece. Not to mention it was a bargain to boot! Domitian Æ Sestertius, 25.01g Rome mint, 86 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XII CENS PER P P; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis Rev: IOVI VICTORI; S C in exergue; Jupiter std. l., with Victory and sceptre RIC 465 (C2). BMC 373. BNC 396. Acquired from CGB.fr, June 2021. Similar to the silver and gold, Domitian's aes coinage in the mid 80s settled down to a few predicable reverse types that were annually struck throughout the reign. The Sestertii were dominated by Victory crowning the emperor and the seated Jupiter with Victory, as seen on this coin. 'Jupiter the giver of Victory' was an important propaganda type because of the periodic conflicts that flared up from time to time on the Northern frontier. This early example of the type features the fine style and craftsmanship that was a hallmark of the Rome mint in the mid 80s under Domitian. Post your bargain beauties!
That's a wonderful sestertius! Here are two sestertii I own -- one of Faustina II with six children and one of Maximinus Thrax -- that were relative bargains considering what sestertii in decent condition usually cost. Probably because each has flaws, none of which bothers me!
Excellent detail and overall look. The Sestertius somehow reminds me of my Domitian As, this was also a bargain, being ignored by other bidders.
That's a great piece indeed. The portrait is magnificent and perhaps the reverse even more so. Below are two bargain sestertii (well, bargain in my opinion any way). I can image many collectors are not even willing to take a look at them, and yes they indeed have many problems. But I love them for the amazing portraits.
David, Nice score ! The portrait is attractive & the depiction of Jupiter is exceptional . I was thrilled to get the sestertius of Gordian III pictured below for $99.00, including buyers premium . OK, lets get personal, what did your Domitian sestertius cost ? Gordian III, AD 238-244 (struck AD 239), Rome Mint, Reverse: Liberalitas holding abacus & cornucopia. AE Sestertius: 20.63 gm, 31 mm, 11 h. RIC IV.III 269a.
Nice one, @David Atherton! It's always fun to pick up coins at a bargain price. This one cost less than two movie tickets, popcorn and Pepsi. Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 24.27 g, 31.4 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 158/9. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXII, laureate head, right. Rev: VOTA SVSCEPTA DEC III S C, Antoninus, veiled, standing l., sacrificing from patera over tripod-altar and holding roll by side; COS IIII in ex. Refs: RIC 1010; BMCRE 2068-2069; Cohen 1124; Strack 1171; RCV 4262.
At $6.67 this qualifies as a bargain, I suppose, but you sure don't get much Jupiter for that price: Domitian Æ Sestertius (90-91 A.D.) Rome Mint [IMP CAES DOMIT AVG] GERM COS XV CEN[S PER PP] laureate head right / [IOVI] VICTORI, [Jupiter seated left, holding Victory and sceptre]; [SC in exergue]. RIC 702, Cohen 314. (24.53 grams / 31 mm) This one was under $20, too bad it is stripped of its patina - I like that it is so late in Domitian's reign: Domitian Æ Sestertius (95-96 A.D.) Rome Mint [IMP CAES] DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVII CENS [PER P P], laureate head right / [IOVI VIC]TORI SC, Jupiter seated left holding Victory & sceptre. RIC 794. (21.86 grams / 31 mm)
