I really like Domitian's early bronze. Unlike his early denarii which seem to have been produced in a hurry for a donative, the bronze are mostly struck with care and in fine style. Recently, I was able to acquire one of these early bronze coins with a lot of eye appeal despite the wear. Domitian Æ Dupondius, 13.37g Rome mint, 82 AD Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, radiate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VIII DES VIIII P P; S C in field; Minerva stg. l., with thunderbolt and spear; shield at her l. side RIC 108 (C2). BMC 278. BNC 288. Acquired from Incitatus Coins, March 2020. Minerva was a popular type on Domitian's early bronze. This variant struck in 82 showing Minerva with thunderbolt and shield would later become one of the standard types for the denarius the following year. It is likely based on a cult image of the goddess. Feel free to post your fine style worn beauties.
What makes this coin attractive to me is the style and surfaces including the contrast. I am much more forgiving for wear than I am for poor strikes, poor centering and poor surfaces. That means I would rather have a Fine 5/5 5/5 in NGC standards than a MS 2/5 2/5. This is a desirable coin IMO.
That is a very nice coin, Domitian in an honorable, noble pose. Agreed, very handsome. I find this coin of Faustina Jr, though having a modicum of wear, to be of fine style (like the loving, motherly face of Fecunditas). Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius AE Sestertius, Struck 161-176 AD, Rome mint Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bust of Faustina II, draped, hair elaborately waved in nearly vertical lines and fastened in a low chignon at back of head, down cheek, curls, right. Reverse: FECVND AVGVSTAE, Fecunditas, draped, standing left, between two children and holding two infants in her arms, S-C across field. References: RIC III 1635 Size: 34mm, 24.2g
That's a lovely coin, @David Atherton ! I like the brassy highlights peaking through the darker patina. I like the quite worn, but wonderful style portrait on this sestertius of Diva Faustina I: Fine style is not to be assumed on coins of this empress. Here, for example, is a denarius of the same AVGVSTA series of AD 150 ... in not-exactly-fine style:
From the same family Ex Schürer, Heynen, Hess auction from 1919. David, I bought this coin from the same dealer after you posted your wonderful acquisition from the Schürer collection
Several coins I think have aged well... 2 Vespasian dup. early As of Domitian with Minerva reverse. Sestertius of Trajan with reverse of the emperor addressing troops.
David, you know I like that coin , Here's one of my favorite worn but eye appeal coins and from the same seller! CAESAR Bare head of Augustus right AVGVSTVS in Laurel wreath Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch mint 26mm, 13.6g. RIC 486, RPC 2235 Scarce. ex-Incitatus Wildwinds example Old cleaning scratches on both sides are not as pronounced in hand.
Beautiful coin David! I like the great style! I think the style largely offsets the wear. Coins like this and the fact that middle bronzes of Domitian is very affordable, sometimes make me wonder if I shouldn't buy some middle bronze from Domitian too....
I have a worn Marcus Aurelius Caesar drachm. The devices and legends are worn off but there is a nice depiction of Elpis (rare) on the reverse.
I love this coin of Domitian. To me it just screams "I'm an antique coin!" Domitian (Augustus) Coin: Brass Sestertius IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P - Bust of Domitian, laureate, right with aegis S C - Domitian standing left sacrificing out of patera over lighted altar in front of distyle shrine enclosing statue of Minerva Exergue: Mint: Rome (85 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 23.79g / 35mm / 6h Rarity: Scarce References: RIC II, part I (second edition) Domitian 355 Cohen : 491 Provenances: Numisaisne Acquisition/Sale: Numisaisne Internet Website $0.00 08/18 Notes: Feb 8, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection