Hello ladies and gentlemen, Just won an interesting coin today. I was literally smoked in an auction, I was watching 5 coins and I managed to win a total of zero. No problems, when needed, we improvise, as the number of nice ancient coins is still large ... Saw this and decided it would be a nice addition Worn but the design elements are still visible (with a minus for the shield), very well centered, good legends, good Domitian portrait ... and an intriguing reverse. Not being a specialist in Domitian coins, I might be wrong, but 95% of the Domitian denarii I have seen have the reverse with Minerva standing right, with spear and shield. A winged Minerva (because this is also Minerva) is not something I have seen too often. Domitian AD 81-96. Rome Denarius AR 18 mm, 2,62 g RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Domitian 791 Old RIC 194 (rated scarce) C. 294; BMC 237; CBN 210. Date Range: AD 95 - AD 96 Obverse Legend: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XV Type: Head of Domitian, laureate, right Reverse Legend: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P Type: Minerva, winged, draped, helmeted, flying left, holding spear in right hand and round shield on left A much better example of this coin was present on Roma auction IX from 2015 https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=1037&lot=644 with a very interesting write-up: The iconography of this coin is most intriguing. This is the only depiction of a winged Minerva in all of Roman coinage, and indeed the concept itself has few parallels in surviving classical art. The closest comparable figure may be found in the winged statue of Minerva Victrix at Ostia, which originally formed part of the decoration of the upper gate known as the Porta Romana. This winged form of Minerva may well have been taken from earlier Greek images of Athena, such as that shown on a black-figure vase found at Orvieto and illustrated in Röm. Mitt. XII, pl. xii, which shows two representations of Athena – one winged and one without wings. With the exception of Nike-Victoria, most of the Greco-Roman gods had shed their wings by the early classical period; that such an archaism should be revived in the time of Domitian is therefore quite inexplicable, save perhaps for the possibility that it was simply an act of whimsy by an emperor who was known to favour Minerva above all other gods. Please post - coins from the end of a reign (this is another plus for me) - coins with surprising and non conventional reverses - anything else you feel relevant
Just to prove your point, here is a Domitian I just purchased, featuring a wingless Minerva standing with a spear (although facing left and without a shield, which isn't unusual). Domitian Denarius, AD90 Rome. Silver, 3.4g. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIIII. IMP XXI COS XV CENS P P P (RIC 692). From the Westbury Sub Mendip (Somerset) Hoard.
Nice toning and good portrait, I like your coin. I think my 95% is not realistic, but in my opinion the type with Minerva standing right is by far the most common one for Domitian.
What interesting iconography for that goddess, @ambr0zie! Here's some unusual iconography, too -- Venus Genetrix with a baby. This issue for Faustina's firstborn is the first time Venus Genetrix appears with a baby. For example, this coin of Sabina illustrates the more typical iconography.
Never seen this depiction of Venus. The only minus for my coin is the reverse wear in my opinion. But then again, having a unique reverse (from the whole Roman coinage) is good enough. I would need to check my personal catalog again, but I think this is also the only coin I have from the last year of a reign. Keep the interesting reverses coming! I am sure there were some in the AMCC auction
Great coin @ambr0zie! How about a winged Minerva struck during the last few days of Domitian's reign? Domitian AR Denarius, 3.42g Rome mint, 96 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XVI; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P; Minerva, winged, flying l., with spear and shield RIC 821 (R2). BMC 237D. RSC 297b. BNC - . Ex jerusalemhadaya2012, eBay, 4 March 2019. Domitian achieved tribunician power for the 16th time on 14 September 96 AD. He was assassinated in a palace plot four days later on 18 September. In between those two dates the mint struck only one issue of denarii recording Domitian as TR P XVI, needless to say they are extremely rare.
Interesting information on winged Minerva,@ambr0zie. Congratulations on acquiring an example! @David Atherton, your rare coin certainly fulfills the call for examples "from the end of a reign." Adding to the Domitian reverses shown here is this one with Minerva, head left, holding a thunderbolt and spear with shield behind. Domitian (81-96 AD). AR Denarius (3.56 g, 19 mm, 6h). Rome Mint, January 1 – September 13, 92 AD. IMP CAES DOMIT A[VG GERM P M] TR P XI, laureate head right / IMP XXI COS XVI CENS P P P, Minerva standing front, head to left, holding thunderbolt and spear; round shield set on ground to right. RIC II 732; RSC 272.
What is going on with Domitian and Minerva?! I know he was a big fan of her, but wings and then a thunderbolt? He is trying to turn her into an all-in-one goddess. Who needs Victory when Minerva can sprout wings? Who needs Jupiter when Minerva is carrying lightning bolts? Where is she hiding the cornucopia? Maybe she’s got a lion skin and club in there somewhere too.
Lovely denarius, @ambr0zie Here is a late Domitian sestertius, non-Minerva type: Domitian Æ Sestertius (95-96 A.D.) Rome Mint [IMP CAES] DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVII CENS [PER P P], laureate head right / [IOVI VIC]TORI SC, Jupiter seated left holding Victory & sceptre. RIC 794. (21.86 grams / 31 mm)
Nice Sestertius. The portrait is well preserved. My only Domitian imperial bronze is also non-Minerva. AD 90-91, Fortuna. As @Aleph mentioned, probably Domitian had a good day and allowed Fortuna to keep her rudder and cornucopiae on this coin.
Fourees are even rarer imo Interesting toning on this one. Obverse: Laureate Head Right Reverse: Minerva standing left, helmeted and draped, thunderbolt in right hand. RIC II-1 580
Nice pick-up. The Minerva Victrix is in my opinion, the coolest reverse for Domitian, a nice change from the standard 3 Minerva reverses. Even though rated as (C), it's a type that isn't always easy to find. Here's mine: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TRP XV Laureate head right IMP XXII COS XVII CENS PPP Minerva, winged, flying left with spear and shield Rome September 14, 95 AD-September 13, 96 AD 3.15g RIC 791 (C)
For the Flavian specialists- what is behind Minerva on many of these denarii? On this example from CNG below (https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7877678), there is a squiggly line with cross lines. Other examples also have similar object behind Minerva (2nd photo) so clearly a semi regular feature, but I have yet to see this referred to in the description. If I had to guess, I would say an olive branch, but this still doesn’t really fit. Maybe part of the armor? Anyone know what this is?
Thanks, Jay! I have not seen (or at least recognized) an aegis used this way. Something I need to read up on… I found a good article on the aegis by a fellow CT member, well worth reading: http://snible.org/coins/aegis2.html
