I purchased this latest coin for a couple of reasons - it's an architectural type (you all know how much I love those!) and it seems to be unique. Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian] Æ29, 12.38g Koinon of Cyprus, 75-76 AD Obv: ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟϹ; Head of Domitian, laureate, r. Rev: ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΚΥΠΡΙΩΝ ƐΤΟΥϹ Η; Temple of Aphrodite at Paphos, in which canonical xoanon; paved semicircular walled courtyard; garland between two antae; star on either side of xoanon; dove facing inwards on apex RPC 1825 var. Acquired from Forvm ancient Coins, June 2021. A smattering of bronzes were struck under the name of the Koinon of Cyprus during Vespasian's reign dated regnal year 8 in either 75 or 76. All are fairly rare today. Just like the Cypriot tetradrachms, two reverse designs were employed: a standing Zeus and the Temple of Aphrodite at Paphos. This Æ29 temple reverse struck for Domitian Caesar is apparently unique. RPC 1825 list one specimen in Berlin, but it is an Æ33 weighing 24.31g, twice the weight of the above piece. https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1825 RPC 1826 has the same temple reverse description as 1825, which clearly is a mistake and is intended to be the standing Zeus type pictured in the plates. https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1826 Either way, I cannot find another example of the temple reverse in the smaller denomination. So, for now I'll catalogue it as RPC 1825 var. Please show your catalogue conundrums or unique pieces (or both)!
Great pick up David, I find this type fascinating and your example is no exception, I have similar about a hundred years later. CYPRUS. Koinon of Cyprus. Caracalla, 198-217. Pentassarion (Bronze, 32 mm, 20.63 g, 7 h), Paphus. M ANTΩNЄINOC AYΓOYCTOC Laureate head of Caracalla to right. Rev. KOINON KYΠPIΩN Conical cult xoanon of the Aphrodite of Paphos within central distyle tower; distyle porticoes flanking, each containing candelabra and dove sitting above; the entire structure set on low basis; semi-circular forecourt; star inside crescent above. BMC 60-63. Parks 25. SNG Copenhagen 92. Ex Leu Web Auction 14, lot 1075.
