Thanks to @PeteB, I recently was able to complete the Minverva types in Domitian's Fifth denarius issue of 85 AD. A milestone that's been years in the making! Domitian AR Denarius, 3.05g Rome mint, 85 AD (fifth issue) Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minverva stg. l., with spear (M4) RIC 345 (R2). BMC 84. RSC 185. BNC 86. Acquired from Akropolis Ancient Coins, August 2021. An incredibly rare denarius struck sometime between mid September, when Domitian assumed TR P V, and December 31st, the last day of his eleventh consulship. Also, coined shortly after Domitian reduced the fineness of the denarius by 5% to the old Neronian level after having raised it in 82 to the Augustan standard. The aegis portraits on the denarii were completely phased out on this issue. They had become something of a symbol of prestige on the denarii after the mint's recent overhaul. Please post your own 'milestones'.
Wow David that is a tremendous accomplishment! Coins from this issue are so rare I have only managed to add one example from the entire issue in 5 years of looking for these coins. I have a soft spot for these CENS POT issues and have noticed a decided uptick in the prices for them. These are very very hard to find. Yours also has a great portrait and a great reverse. I also think that owning even from denarius from 85 CE is an accomplishment but adding the entire issue...Wow
Beautiful coin! I hope you will be posting your "Minverva types in Domitian's Fifth denarius issue of 85 AD" complete set? My ask is in admitted ignorance as I have no idea if this is 5 coins or 50 coins.. but I would certainly be interested to learn more about the issue and your process and experiences while completing the set. Perhaps a mega thread is in order? I certainly hope so!
The difficulty in obtaining a complete denarius issue like this for Domitian isn't because of the quantity of coins involved, rather it's because of the rarity. Starting in 83, Domitian's moneyers begain striking four main Minerva types for each denarius issue. This went largely uninterrupted until Domitian's assassination in 96. Some are rarer than others. All the denarii in this Fifth issue of 85 are extremely scarce. The Minerva types are as follows: M1: Minerva advancing right, brandishing spear M2: Minerva advancing right, brandishing spear, on capital of rostral column, accompanied by owl M3: Minerva standing, facing left, with thunderbolt and spear and shield behind her feet M4: Minerva standing left with spear The OP coin is a M4. Here are the other three. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.13g Rome mint, 85 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1) RIC 342 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -. Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Jyrki Muona Collection. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.34g Rome mint, 85 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva stg. r. on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to r., owl (M2) RIC 343 (R2). BMC p. 317, *. RSC 187. BNC -. Ex Harlan J. Berk 186, 21 August 2013, lot 229. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.20g Rome mint, 85 AD (fifth issue) Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva stg. l., with thunderbolt and spear; shield at her side (M3) RIC 344 (R2). BMC -. RSC 186. BNC 87. Ex CNG E363, 11 November 2015, lot 319.
