Domitianic coins are probably the least favoured Flavian coins here on CT, but how can you dislike a lovely coin such as this? Courtesy of our @John Anthony's Vcoins store JAZ Numismatics. Domitian Æ As, 11.98g Rome mint, 82 AD Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, l. Rev: TR P COS VIII DES VIIII P P; S C in field; Minerva adv. r., with spear and shield RIC 111 (C3). BMC 283. BNC 291. Acquired from JAZ Numismatics, April 2022. Minerva's prominence on Domitian's coinage first showed up on his early bronzes struck in 81-82 before she dominated the denarii. This very common as from early 82 is typical of these initial bronze issues featuring a decent to fine style portrait and a standard cult image of Minerva on the reverse. Feel free to post your 'boring' coins. Thanks for looking!
That's a nice coin, @David Atherton! The Minerva is very well drawn and well-struck. Nice patina, too. Here's a boring old Domitian with a Minerva reverse. But EVERY coin is of interest if you look closely enough. Even this run of the mill denarius has some interesting features. Look at the obverse legend about 4:00. Notice it reads P M TR XI. This is an engraver's error; it should read TR P XI. I also like the emperor's smirk. I like to think Domitian is contemplating what he'll do to the poor fellow who left the potestas out of Tribunicia Potestas, implying the emperor is "impotestas." Lastly, you can see the snake heads all around the periphery of Minerva's aegis, which is pretty cool! Domitian, AD 81-96. Roman AR denarius, 3.44 g, 17.2 mm, 7 h. Rome, AD 91. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR XI, laureate head, right. Rev: IMP XXI COS XV CENS P P P, Minerva advancing right, brandishing a javelin and holding a shield. Refs: RIC 156; RIC² 724; BMCRE p. 336, note; Cohen 269; RCV --.
This worn Domitian coin would be "boring" for many to view perhaps, but I find it interesting as a less common Judaea Capta type from Caesarea Maritima on which "DOMIT" on the obverse and "VICTOR" on the reverse to the left of the trophy can be read. Judaea. Caesarea Maritima. Domitian (81-96 AD). AE (19 mm, 6.16 g). Judaea Capta issue. Struck circa 92-93 A.D. [IMP] DOMIT AVG [GERM], laureate head of Domitian right. / VICTOR AVG, trophy.
Well, I'm a big fan of Domitian's coins and I think that is a terrific-looking one you just got @David Atherton - I particularly admire the rendition of Minerva - that three-quarters view is spectacularly done. This one is not nearly as pretty; it was one of those offers I just couldn't refuse - ten bucks, free shipping! Not Minerva! How could I resist? I couldn't: Domitian Æ As (90-91 A.D.) Rome Mint [IMP CAES DOMIT] AVG GERM COS XV CEN[S PER PP], laureate head right. / [FORTVNAE AVGVSTI] S C, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae RIC II, Part 1 (2nd ed.) 707. (10.09 grams / 25 x 24 mm) eBay Feb. 2022 $10.00 BIN FS Attribution Notes: RIC II (old) 394; RIC II (new) 707 (common); BM 448; Paris 480; Cohen 131.
Domitian, 81-96 As Rome 85, Æ 27.00 mm., 10.84 g. Laureate bust r., with aegis. Rev. Virtus standing l., holding sceptre and parazonium. C 647. RIC 423. Very Fine.
Terrific coin! Funnily enough I have an error example of the OP coin. Domitian Æ As, 12.69g Rome mint, 81 AD Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VEP (sic) F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, l. Rev: TR P COS VIII DES VIIII P P; S C in field; Minerva adv. r., with spear and shield RIC 111 (C3). BMC 283. BNC 291. Acquired from Marc R. Breitsprecher, January 2021. A rare example of a blundered obverse legend on an early bronze as of Domitian struck in late 81: DIVI VEP instead of DIVI VESP.
Two common coins of Domitian. As boring as some of his coins may have been, the Flavian dynasty may very well have saved the empire.
