2 great coins of Domitian

Hi all,

A few days ago I was contacted by another Flavian collector who was selling 2 Domitian PONT denarii. We made a deal and the coins are on the way. The PONT denarii are very special to anyone who specializes in the coins of Domitian. They were struck for a very brief period of time and they are all very rare to extremely rare. To illustrate, all PONT denarii are either R2 or R3. In the newest RIC II part one this means very few examples known to the authors or only one example known to the authors. I have to say that it looks like the given rarity is fairly accurate because these coins appear very infrequently on the market. I know exactly 4 collectors who care about these coins. To others they may appear to be interesting oddities, but to me they are important witnesses to Domitian's first year as Augustus.


I love many things about the coins themselves. First is the provenance. Both coins come from the collection of our own @David Atherton . Before he owned them, they were owned by Harry Sneh.


The first coin is RIC 21. As it so happens, I already have an example of RIC 21. This is highly unusual as it is difficult enough to find one example never mind 2. Here is the one I already had.





Below is the coin I just acquired. I think it is safe to say that the new acquisition is a considerable upgrade.



Domitian AR Denarius, 81 CE (Group 3)
3.24g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: COS VII DES VIII P P; Curule chair, wreath above
RIC 21 (R2). BMC p. 299 note. RSC 58
Ex: Harry N. Sneh Collection
Ex: David Atherton Collection


As for the second coin. It is also very special. It is RIC 34 (R3)- 1 example known. This new acquisition coin is unsurprisingly a double die match to the RIC plate coin. I can find no other examples of this coin anywhere. As far as I know, this coin is the second one known.


Domitian AR Denarius, 81 CE (Group 3)
3.23g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: COS VII DES VIII P P; Seat, draped; above, winged thunderbolt
RIC 34 (R3). BMC -. RSC -
Ex: Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Ex: David Atherton Collection


My special thanks to David for agreeing to sell these wonderful coins to me. I am very excited to have acquired these coins.

 

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Interesting coins! I am in the process of starting an investigation into Domitian's reign and the distorted image of him in the sources, so I follow your posts with great interest.

 

Thanks for the reply and for stating your interest. I usually have the feeling that most people are quite bored with my posts on Domitian.

 

Many people think that Domitian is nothing more than 'boring' Minerva coins. But they forget that Domitian was a very interesting man. moreover you show with your specialization in early coins that he struck more than just minervas.

 

Andrew, I'm glad these went to a home where they will be cared for and appreciated.

And to illustrate that point.

Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.28g
Rome Mint, 95-96 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XV; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P; Altar, with two figures of soldiers, flanked by aquilae; under each aquila on top of the altar is a seated captive
RIC 784 (R2). BMC 237B. RSC 296. BNC 212.
Ex Solidus, eBay, 13 April 2014.

As you have correctly stated, Domitian's coinage isn't all about Minerva.

 

Nice additions @Orfew. And i like your postings of Domitian coins. Actually your posts and the ones of @David Atherton inspired me to catch a Vesp ivdaea denarius, and to get rid of a domitian denarius. Yes, indeed! I would like to add a better one, and a minerva one with an owl, on the reverse.

 

The coins arrived today. They are great in person. Thanks @David Atherton

The first one (RIC 34) is a very nice coin but the second one (RIC 21) is a truly superb coin in hand.

 

Nope

 

No,no,no, Andrew. You can’t have TWO of the same coin. That is cheating. It is not allowed in Ancients collecting. Get back into your corner until you are told.

 

@Orfew , I conjecture that since @David Atherton sold them to you, he has even better examples. @David Atherton , am I right?

That makes me guess there are now at least two known--yours and David's (if he has one). The one in RIC is cited from a "Private Collection." If it is not David's and he has one of the type, that would make three or more.

 

This is one of those rare cases where I let coins go that I do not have duplicates of. Maybe in a couple of years I will realise my foolishness?

 

In the case of RIC 34 I am not aware of any other examples outside of mine and the RIC plate coin which is part of a private collection. So...2 examples known...so far.

As for RIC 21, I have 2, there is one in Vienna, one in Copenhagen (RIC), and one at Albert-Ludwigs university (OCRE). There may be other examples but I am not aware of them. So...5 that I know of.

 

Your ID says "Flavian Fanatic." Can a true fanatic let an "R3" coin in good shape go? Maybe you could change it to "I have a mild interest in Flavian coins"

 

P.S. I hope you have a sense of humor!

 

LOL! Well, it did provide a moment of reflection.

Last year I started collecting Flavian bronze, and that is where my priorities lie at the present. Letting those two denarii go helped me acquire another bronze 'white whale', so I'm fairly satisfied with the end result.

 

What an upgrade on that 21! Both lovely coins; the rarity only adds to the joy of acquiring them for your collection.

 

Orfew, those are terrific , rare coins of Domitian. I for one never tire of any Flavian coins - silver or bronze. I have a selection of "non Minerva" Domitian denarii, though when he was Caesar, and therefore not quite as rare as yours...

 

Thanks for the kind words.

The types may not be rare but in that condition those coins are exceptional! Nice eye @octavius

I love them all but that bearded example is a standout.

 

And to bring this tale full circle, @Orfew generously gifted me his former RIC 21!

The kindness displayed on this forum is truly heart warming.

Thank you Andrew.