Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 2417840, member: 82616&quot;]I stumbled upon this strikingly beautiful denarius a couple of weeks ago.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]500497[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Domitian as Caesar</b></p><p>AR Denarius</p><p>Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD</p><p>RIC V1496 (R2), BMC V489, RSC 369 , RPC 1469 (2 spec.)</p><p>Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. &#039;o&#039; mint mark below neck</p><p>Rev: PON MAX TR P COS IIII; Winged caduceus</p><p><br /></p><p>The small series struck under Vespasian this coin comes from is quite mysterious. The mint is not known for certain, although Ephesus is a prime suspect. K. Butcher and M. Ponting in <i>The Metallurgy of Roman silver Coinage</i> analysed the Ephesian and &#039;o&#039; mint series and their data shows both issues are made from the same bullion. Not definitive proof the two series are from the same mint, but good evidence of a strong link. Unlike the Ephesian series, the &#039;o&#039; issue is full of blundered legends and mules. This denarius struck for Domitian Caesar has a PON MAX reverse legend, an impossible title for the young prince. However, what the mint masters lacked in competency, the engravers made up for in their stylish portraits.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in