A Handsome Coin Despite the Wear

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Apr 1, 2020.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    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.


    D108.jpg 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.
     
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  3. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    I like coins that look like they worked for a living. Nice eye appeal.
     
  4. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    It really is a handsome coin.
     
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  5. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    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.
     
  6. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    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).
    [​IMG]
    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
     
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  7. Herodotus

    Herodotus Well-Known Member

    Is a MS (surface)2/5 even possible?

    Nice coin btw, OP.
     
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  8. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    I love the fabric of that coin!
     
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  9. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    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:

    Faustina Sr AVGVSTA Vesta standing sestertius.jpg

    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:

    Faustina Sr AVGVSTA Vesta seated denarius.jpg
     
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  10. Agricantus

    Agricantus Allium aflatunense

    From the same family

    9431B284-241E-4C69-87EF-B8E544AEDDFF.jpeg
    0A16B381-A779-4BE6-8388-DC04CCB04485.jpeg 27DBBE3C-73A5-4797-9FF2-C46069A8F902.jpeg

    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
     
  11. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

  12. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    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.

    Xrn53KLgZNq97SGyb4MW2zjDAL8dRz.jpg Rg23HPz8x5Q7Xqm46ZbjMtG3F7pH9S.jpg m48404.jpg 4911050l.jpg
     
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  13. NLL

    NLL Well-Known Member

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  14. Herodotus

    Herodotus Well-Known Member

    Took the words out of my mouth. Thinking exact same sentiment.
     
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  15. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    David, you know I like that coin :happy:,

    Here's one of my favorite worn but eye appeal coins and from the same seller!
    AugustusCaesar.jpg
    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.
     
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  16. Parthicus Maximus

    Parthicus Maximus Well-Known Member

    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....:shame:
     
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  17. thejewk

    thejewk Well-Known Member

    Very attractive.
     
  18. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    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.

    aurelius.jpg
     
  19. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Nice catch David. I really like this one.
     
  20. Gary R. Wilson

    Gary R. Wilson ODERINT, DUM METUANT — CALIGULA

    I love this coin of Domitian. To me it just screams "I'm an antique coin!"



    DOMITIAN_-_SESTERCE_193-removebg-preview.png

    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
     
  21. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

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