For the past few months I have been trying to get more of the rare denarii of Domitian's first year as Augustus. There are some intriguing mystteries surrounding these coins and I find them very interesting. While this coin is considered rare it is not extremely rare. Still when an example comes to market I like to have a look at it. The first photo is the first example I bought some time ago. i have been however looking for an upgrade for some time. While this coin is nowhere near an ef I still like it very much. Not only is it better than my first example but it has 2 other things going for it. First, I love this reverse for Domitian. Secondly, I think the portrait is quite charming. For these reasons bidding on this coin was a no brainer. Also I like that the obverses are from different dies. Please post your coins that you have upgraded. Domitian, Denarius, 81 Rome (Group 1) (18mm 3.36g) Obv: Laureate head of Domitian right., IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG Rev: Dolphin coiled around anchor., RIC: 2 (R); BMC 3 RSC 551 Purchased from Savoca 81st Blue auction July 26, 2020 Lot 315
Sometimes I do what I call the "poor man's upgrade," which consists of cleaning a coin you already have so much that it looks different.
Terrific examples, Orfew. Along with your resonantly implicit point about the appeal that even, 'honest' wear can have. Wish I could remember who it was who put it more eloquently than I just did, not long ago. But, yeah, especially relevant in this context. ...Like the reverse a lot. Given the more 'generic' legend, what is that likely to refer to? Or is that one of the more esoteric things about the issue? ...Wish it was easier for me to reciprocate, because I've uprgraded more than once. But when it comes to pics (of any quality, or none), I'm really challenged. Older ones didn't always make it onto the thumb drive that has half my life on it, and it takes trawling all over the hard drive to find whatever's (still) there. ...That's been getting in the way of one new post I started on.
Cool. Felicitations! Once I had an anonymous late 4th c. Aksumite (/Axumite) AE, which began life, from here, as a lump of dirt. (Sorry, this was too long ago for there to be pictures.) All I had, or knew about, was a soak in vinegar (--? never tried this again), and a wooden tooth pick. It came out with zero patina --bright red-- but at least within loud shouting distance of VF+-XF. (Gawd, wish I still had that.) ...But, just to get snarky, isn't any upgrade a 'poor man's upgrade?' If not strictly by definition, then at least on some structural level?
Thanks for the kind words. Here is an interesting thread on the topic of the dolphin and anchor reverse https://www.cointalk.com/threads/words-of-the-first-emperor.361130/
Massive thanks for the link! The whole thread was very enlightening. ...More generally, i've been learning a lot from this forum about just how complicated the dynamics between history and numismatics can be, in any number of ancient contexts. Coming from a mostly medieval kind of place, I used to think you folks were spoiled --piles of extant documentation; coins datable within a year or two; etc. But apparently, as often as not, the profusion of documentary 'moving parts' only adds to the potential for interpretive nuance and occasional, attendant controversy. ...Takes some of us longer, I guess....
Nice upgrade Andrew. I was fortunate enough to get the similar RIC 26 in nice condition the first time IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M Laureate head right COS VII DES VIII P P Dolphin coiled round anchor Rome 81 A.D. (3rd group) 3.3g RIC 26 (R), RSC 63 Ex-Enrico collection Extra fine portrait!
One of my favourite upgrades. Macrianus Junior, Usurper, AD 260- 261. USURPER SAMASOTA MINT FORTUNA SEATED LEFT ON WHEEL HOLDING RUDDER AND CORNUCOPIA (EXTREMELY RARE 2 KNOWN EXAMPLES) MIR 1731K Billon Antoninianus. Samosata mint. 21mm // 2,85g. Obv: IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: FORT REDVX/ * Fortuna seated left on wheel, holding rudder and cornucopia. Macrianus Junior BI Antoninianus. Samosata, AD 260-1. IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right / SPES PVBLICA, Spes advancing left, holding flower in her right hand and raising skirt with her left; star in left field. RIC 13; Cohen 13; MIR 1743b. 4.62g, 21mm, 11h. Good Very Fine
To my eyes, both coins appear to have been produced by the same engraver. Personally, I can't choose between the two - each one has their own pulses and minuses. A good enough reason to have both!
Great coin , @Orfew ! Really like that Reverse. I wonder if the Roman Legionary Marines ever had that Dolphin on Anchor tattooed on their arms?