Wow, what an incredible year many of you folks have had! Great coins and a great place to share them, what more can you ask for? Regarding my collection, 2018 will be remembered as the year I began collecting Flavian bronze along with the silver. And this is reflected in my Top Ten list. #10 Domitian Æ Sestertius, 25.82g Rome mint, 81 AD RIC 78 (C2). BMC 261. Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; S C in field; Minerva stg. l., with spear Acquired from Vilmar, December 2018. The list was delayed a bit while I waited on this one to arrive. It's here because of the portrait. #9 Vespasian AR Drachm, 3.03g Caesarea, Cappadocia mint, 76-77 AD RPC 1652 (3 spec.). Obv: AYTOKPA KAICAP OYЄCΠACIANOC CЄBACTOC; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: TITOC AYTOKPATWP KAICAP ЄTO Θ; Titus in military dress, stg. facing, holding spear and sword Ex Kölner 108, 7 April 2018, lot 131. I've always wanted an example of this drachm with Titus in military attire. Admittedly the piece is fairly worn, but I love it nonetheless. #8 Domitia AR Cistophorus Rome mint (for Asia), 82 AD (Domitian) RIC 847 (R). BMC 256. RSC 19. RPC 870 (8 spec.). Obv: DOMITIA AVGVSTA; Bust of Domitia, draped r., hair massed in front and in long plait behind Rev: VENVS AVG; Venus stg. r., leaning on column, with helmet and spear Ex CNG E424, 11 July 2018, lot 471. A big silver coin of the empress Domitia - need I say more? #7 Titus Æ As, 10.75g Rome mint, 80-81 AD RIC 226 (R). BMC 210. Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l. Rev: GENI P R; S C in field; Genius stg. l., with patera over altar and cornucopiae Acquired from London Ancient Coins, September 2018. The first bronze coin to make the list. Here because of the fantastic portrait, certainly one of the finest I own of Titus. #6 Vespasian Æ Dupondius, 14.46g Rome mint, 74 AD RIC 759 (C). BMC p. 219 note. RPC 1983 (6 spec.). Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l. Rev: PON•MAX•TR•POT•P•P•COS•V CENS; Winged caduceus between crossed cornuacopiae Ex eBay, 16 October 2018. Ex Klassische Münzen Another bronze. Previously attributed to various Eastern mints, this dupondius was actually struck in Rome for circulation in the Western provinces. The back story behind it is one of the more fascinating numismatic mysteries I researched in 2018. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-150330 #5 Vespasian AR Tetradrachm, 13.41g Antioch mint, 69 AD RPC 1936 (2 spec.). Obv : AYTOKPAT KAIΣA OYEΣΠAΣIANOY; Bust of Vespasian, laureate, r., with aegis Rev : ETOYΣ NEOY IEPOY A; Eagle standing r., on thunderbolt; in r. field, palm branch Ex CNG E418, 11 April 2018, lot 403. A superb example of a rare regnal first year Syrian tet in Alexandrian style. Certainly one of the first coins of Vespasian struck in the east. This was a key provincial addition to the collection. #4 Domitian AR Cistophorus, 10.28g Rome mint (for Asia), 95 AD RIC 855 (C). BMC p. 352, *. RSC 407. RPC 875 (2 spec.). Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: Temple with two columns, inscribed ROM ET AVG in entablature, enclosing Augustus. stg. front to l., with spear, crowned by Roma to r., with cornucopiae; G in exergue Acquired from Emerald Imports, eBay, May 2018 Another cistophorus. Gosh, I love these big slabs of silver! This temple reverse is one of my favourites from Domitian's cistophorii series. #3 Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.42g Antioch mint, 72-73 AD RIC 1556 (R3). BMC - . RSC - . RPC - . Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: VESTA; Vesta stg. l., with simpulum and sceptre Ex Numismatic Naumann 70, 7 October 2018, lot 411. A very rare Vespasian denarius from Antioch. I am likely never to see another in trade again. #2 Vespasian Æ Sestertius, 24.60g Rome mint, 71 AD RIC 167 (C3). BMC 543. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to l., Vespasian stg. r. with spear and parazonium, foot on helmet; to r., Judaea std. r. on cuirass Acquired from Denarius, December 2018. This iconic sestertius has always been a dream coin of mine - even when I was exclusively collecting silver. 'Ambition sighed: she found it vain to trust The faithless column and the crumbling bust; Huge moles, whose shadow stretched from shore to shore, Their ruins perished, and their place no more! Convinced, she now contracts her vast design, And all her triumphs shrink into a coin. A narrow orb each crowded conquest keeps, Beneath her palm here sad Judea weeps.' - Alexander Pope, To Mr. Addison, Occasioned by his Dialogues on Medals II. 19-26 #1 Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.60g Uncertain mint, 69-71 AD RIC 1368 (R2). BMC 419. RSC 221. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: IMPER below; Vespasian riding l., r. hand raised Ex Künker 304, 19 March 2018, lot 1085. A fabulously rare civil war denarius featuring Vespasian on horseback addressing his troops is a fitting number one coin for the year. If this had been the only coin I came away with from 2018 I would be most pleased. My hope for 2019 is to add more interesting bronze coins and some crucially missing pieces in silver. Happy New Year everyone!!
Wow! Very nice additions Mr David Atherton. Especially your sestertius and the dupondius. Mixed feeling meanwhile. Love your coins but I also feel envy, jalousy...........
the hairdo on Domitia is not one I have seen or noticed before anyway. Very cool- short in front party in the back for New Years eve! have a great one!
No need to be a Flavian specialist to appreciate all of those!! And I'm so glad you crossed the metallic border this year. My faves are your #1 and #2, the two cistophori, and #7 for the portrait. You influenced me in two ways this year. One, in choosing this Domitian denarius: And two, in getting more serious about my specialist collection of SA middle bronzes. Clearly I had been missing out on a lot of fun.
I'm in the market for a Titus As; yours has a fine portrait indeed. I was unaware of the Alexander Pope lines on that Judea Capta. Thanks especially for that.
A superb top ten David. Your #1 would be mine as well. What a great coin. I also want to take a moment to thank you for all of your help in tracking down some rare Flavian silver this past year. It is much appreciated.
You probably have the most extensive Flavian collection, at least as far as I know. Sometimes I have to wonder where and how you find them all.
Another ten great Flavians from you as we have come to expect, I'm glad you moved into bronze as well, it opens up the field for a lot more interesting coins as your list shows especially like your Titus Genius can't get over how realistic that portrait is. Congrats on a great year.
great collection of coins - I like #8 - Cistophorus of Domitia best. It looks like she is headed down a set of stairs.
#1, 7 and 4 for me please. Oh, and the others would be OK too... #1 stands out for its incredible style and what a portrait on #7 ! Q
I certainly can't argue with your #1 pick. Wow!! Other favorites: Antioch Vespasian, Domitian cistophorus, Domitia denarius.
Thank you everyone for the kind comments! It is such a joy to share these coins with you folks. Again Happy New Year! A kind compliment indeed! I wish you well on your bronze journey!
#1 and #2 are my favourites, but I’ll always remember that Domitia as one of those that got away. I’m of course glad I get to see it whenever you post it here. Congrats on the great year!
Your didrachm of the type is one of the coins that inspired me several years ago to move into provincials!