I have had the seller's site bookmarked for about 2 weeks since I first saw this coin. Today I decided to grab it. I kept going back and forth because the condition is not great. Then again, this is the first one I have seen for sale. This coin is part of the first issue for Domitian of 82 CE. According to Buttrey and Carradice "The denarii of the first issue of 82 use the same eight main reverse designs as the last issues of 81" Though the coin has some wear, the reason I bought this was threefold. First, I did not have coin from this issue. Second, I really liked the character displayed by the obverse portrait. Also, the reverse devices are quite clear and recognizable. I have a few more coins of Domitian on my watch list for next week. I hope I can land at least 2 of them. I am really enjoying the process of tracking down these coin and then searching the reference books for additional information on them. It is a lot of fun. In general I have also learned how many attributions are just plain wrong. this is an example of where having the book is necessary and helpful. Please post your coins of Domitian. Domitian AR Denarius Rome mint 82 CE (First Issue) 18.5 mm, 3.09 g Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M, laureate head right Rev: TR P COS VIII P P, winged thunderbolt on draped table RIC 101; RSC 597; BMC 26.
What a great looking coin! I only have 1 Domitian in my collection. I picked it up for $5 at the Baltimore Whitman show in October. Domitian AE As. 86 AD. Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS PER PP, laureate bust right with aegis Reverse: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI S-C, Virtus standing right, holding spear and parazonium.
Nice one Andrew. Here's one slightly earlier RIC 70 Domitian Denarius IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PM Laureate head right COS VII DES VIII P P Seat draped, above winged thunderbolt Rome, September 13- December 31, 81 AD RIC 70 (C) 3.39g 10 reverse dies known with this paticular obverse type from a die study of 178 specimens.
Andrew, I'm very impressed with your recent devotion to Domitian! And it's nice to see some appreciation for his 'forgotten' issue of 82. Here's my example. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.43g Rome Mint, 82 AD RIC 101 (R). BMC 26. RSC 597. Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR POT COS VIII P P; Seat, draped; above, winged thunderbolt Ex Gemini X, 13 January 2013, Harry N. Sneh Collection, lot 712. Ex CNG E212, 17 June 2009, lot 294. If I remember right, this was an unsold lot in Gemini X and I picked it up a few months later.
