I thought that I had narrowed down my top ten of 2020. Well... This coin ticks many boxes. Rarity: 2 on acsearch, 1 on OCRE, 3 in the forum galleries. @David Atherton owns 1 of these and @Nemo owns another (his example is stunning and I hope he posts it here). RIC cites 1 in Berlin, 1 in Vienna, and 1 from the Jyrki Muona collection (this is also the RIC plate coin) Interesting legend: I actively buy as many of the CENS POT denarii as I can as they are rarely seen in trade. The normal reverse legend is CENS P PP. Monetary reform: This coin is part of the first issue after a major coinage reform of Domitian. Aegis: All denarii with Aegis on the portrait are rare to extremely rare. This one is not the rarest of them which means I have not seen one in over 3 years of looking. The rarest are known from 1-2 examples max. This includes those issued later in his reign. Portrait: WOW, just look at the incredible portrait! The portraits from 84-88 for Domitian are very lovely. 85 CE: This year of Domitian denarii is actively collected. All of the denarii from this year are rare to extremely rare. Most important reason to buy this coin: It was love at first sight. Please post your favourite portraits. Domitian AR denarius 85 CE (19mm, 3.50 grams) Obv: Head laureate right with Aegis; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P IIII Rev: Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column with spear and shield to right owl; IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P RIC: 334 (R2) Ex Dr V.J.A Flynn collection, Noble Numismatics Auction 120 Lot 3222 (part)
Awesome pick up @Orfew. How could I refuse such an nice invitation? This is definitely my finest coin of Domitian.
Just awesome @Nemo . The style and the toning along with the portrait combine to form a very aesthetic coin. I will never tire of seeing this one. I decided after seeing your coin that i would chase one for myself. It took a while but I finally landed one
Rare or not, that's simply an awesome coin. The portrait is fantastic! If I were to have only one coin of Domitian, I think I'd be quite happy for it to be that one. Congrats!
I have never seen one better... wow!! I do not think I have seen the straps that hold the shield on the arm so vivid.. and that is just a minor detail that amazes me. Its incredible.
