My Flavian Top Ten of 2017

2017 was a very busy coining year for me. While it may not have had the peaks of 2016 (the year I received my favourite coin), it certainly made up for that in the shear number of 'grail' acquisitions. Plus, in 2017 I researched in minute detail a few issues (eagle on base, early transition portraits of Vespasian) that are not even represented in the Top Ten list. Oh, how I wish I could do a Top Fifty!

I tried to order them from least to greatest.

10.

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.29g
Rome mint, 69-70 AD
RIC 1397 (R). BMC p. 89,†. RSC 291. RPC 807 (5 spec.).
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: PACI ORB TERR AVG; Turreted and draped female bust, r.
Acquired from NB Numismatics, March 2017. Ex VAuctions 292 (Imperial Coins), 6 December 2012, lot 130.

This particular denarius has a peculiarly crude style compared with other Ephesian denarii. RIC II.1 authors Carradice and Buttrey comment about this coin in the introduction on p. 8 - 'a recent example seen in trade (Imperial Coins 2004) had the correct legend (and good weight for a denarius, at 3.29g) but a very different, inferior style on both the obverse and reverse. Is such a coin a barbarous imitation, or simply the product of a less able die-engraver employed at the start of a mint's output?'

I had my eye on this denarius for 12 years, following it through various coin venues and dealers. In 2017 I made it my own.


9.
Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.07g
Ephesus mint, 70 AD
RIC 1412A (R3), BMC - . RSC - . RPC - .
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: PACI AVGVSTAE; Victory adv. r., with wreath and palm; at lower r., horizontal Φ
Acquired from Munthandel G Henzen, February 2017.

A previously unknown type for Vespasian's Ephesian denarii dated COS II (group 3). It is not often that a new reverse type appears for such a well documented issue! I alerted Ted Buttrey about the coin and he has assigned it as RIC 1412A in the upcoming RIC II Addenda.


8.

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.28g
Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD
RIC 1477A (R3). BMC - . RSC - . RPC - .
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., a small 'o' mint mark below neck
Rev: PON MAX TR P COS VII (from high l.); Winged caduceus
Acquired from eBay, April 2017.

Another new variant discovery. This time it is a unique specimen of the caduceus type from the rare and mysterious 'o' mint. This rare variant has the reverse legend starting from the upper left, all other known examples start from the lower right. I informed Ted Buttrey of the coin and he has assigned it 1477A in the upcoming RIC II.1 Addenda.


7.

Domitian Caesar
AR Cistophorus, 10.77g
Rome mint (for Asia), 80-81 AD
RIC T517 (R). BMC T150. RSC 95. RPC 862 (6 spec.).
Obv: DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: DIVO VESP across field; Altar shrine
Acquired from NumisCorner, July 2017.

A fairly scarce Domitian Caesar cistophorus struck under Titus. The reverse honours the divine Vespasian and shows what catalogues have traditionally called a 'large altar' - in fact what the reverse depicts is a shrine in the shape of an altar. The doors, columns, and steps are strong evidence that what we are seeing is a building and not an altar. How the shrine related to the Temple of the Divine Vespasian is unknown.

A fantastic piece in hand!


6.

Domitian
AR Didrachm, 6.38g
Rome mint (for Cappadocia), 93-94 AD
RPC 1666 (18 spec.).
Obv: AYT KAI ΔOMITIANOC CЄBACTOC ΓЄPM; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev : No legend; emperor in quadriga, r., holding laurel branch in r. hand, sceptre in l. hand
Ex Lanz, eBay, November 2017.

The pronounced 'Roman' style and six o'clock die axis are clear evidence it was produced in Rome for circulation in the province. Remarkably, this reverse is the only instance of Domitian in a quadriga that was struck in silver for either the imperial or provincial issues.


5.

Vespasian Mule
AR Denarius, 3.22g
Rome Mint, 77-78 AD
RIC 944 (R3, this coin). BMC - . RSC - .
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: COS VI in ex.; Pair of Oxen, under yoke, l.
Acquired from Celeste Jones Mining, April 2017. Ex CGB Monnaies 21, 18 June 2004, lot 2387.

A unique mint mule specimen with an obverse of Vespasian combined with a reverse from Titus Caesar's parallel issue. Vespasian was COS VIII when the coin was struck in 77/78, so the reverse title is quite impossible. This specimen is cited in RIC, apparently the only one recorded.

In any other year this grail would have ranked much higher on the list.


4.

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.59g
Antioch mint, 72-73 AD
RIC 1547 (R2). BMC 498. RSC 588. RPC 1921 (2 spec.).
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: VICTORIA AVG; Victory stg. r., on globe, with wreath and palm
Ex Nomos Obolos 7, 9 July 2017, lot 313.

An exceptionally rare denarius from Antioch - it is only the eighth known specimen (the others are: BM, Vienna, Tom Cederlind 2007, Helios 4, Gemini X, CNG E339, Lanz eBay 2017). This left facing portrait is unique in the Antiochene denarius issues, as well as the only appearance of Victory on globe in the series. Butcher and Ponting's metal analysis of the type found a silver bullion content of 99% - a remarkable level of fineness for an imperial or provincial issue at that time.


3.

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 2.89g
Rome Mint, 75 AD
RIC 773 (R3). BMC - . RSC - .
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, bare, l.
Rev: PON MAX TR P COS VI; Pax, bare to the waist, seated l., holding branch extended in r. hand, l. hand on lap
Acquired from eBay, November 2017.

The bare head left portraits are seen sparingly (Buttrey - 'Fleetingly') on the denarii of Vespasian in 75 and 76 exclusively with the seated Pax reverse. This denarius is the second known specimen of the exceedingly rare bare head COS VI Pax from 75.

Another grail coin!


2.

Domitian
AR Denarius, 2.73g
Rome mint, 95-96 AD
RIC 816 (R2). BMC 243. RSC 175.
Obv: DOMITIANVS AVG GERM; Head of Domitian, bare, bearded, r.
Rev: Temple, eight columns, seated figure in centre; IMP CAESAR on architrave
Ex Private Collection.

Domitian struck a rare undated issue of denarii depicting five different temples. Based on portrait style and the fact that Domitian's moneyers were experimenting with new reverse designs after 94, the issue has been dated to either 95 or 96. Needless to say it is a fantastically rare piece! The eight column type may be the scarcest of the temple group, considering I have located only two other examples in trade over the last 15 years. The other two coins (OldRomanCoins 2002, HJB 145, lot 265) are obverse die matches with mine. Oddly, some specimens (BM 234 for example) lack IMP CAESAR on the architrave.

2017 will be fondly remembered because of this coin. Wow.


1.

Titus
AR Cistophorus, 10.55g
Rome mint (for Asia), 80-81 AD
RIC 516 (R). BMC 149. RSC 398. RPC 861 (4 spec.).
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: Aquila between two standards, one surmounted by a banner, the other by a hand
Ex CNG E400, 28 June 2017, lot 609.

A small issue of Asian cistophori were struck under Titus in 80 or 81 AD. Style and the six o'clock die axis point to Rome as the likely mint. Two types were coined for Titus - Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and Aquila between two standards. These are the only coins of Titus that are identifiable as being struck after the fire of 80 since one of the types commemorates the restoration of the Capitoline Temple. The issue continued into Domitian's reign with the same two reverse types. The fact that Titus' cistophori are much rarer than those of Domitian may indicate they were struck near the end of Titus' reign in 81 rather than 80. The aquila between two standards copies similar reverse types from Nero's denarii and the bronze of Galba. The portraits on Titus' cistophori are in the same style as his pulvinaria denarii.

The lone Titus to make the list, but oh what a coin! The best grail acquisition of the year.

2018 will have a tough time beating this list.

Happy New Year coin friends!

 

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Excellent run of Flavians, all brilliant but I love those two Domitian architecture, wonder if you know why?

 

Congrats on the great grail year, David. Your dedication to the Flavians is always awesome to behold. I like the two cistophori best and am still looking for at least one for my collection.

My favorite Flavian coin this year is this Titus provincial from the x6 collection, previously also from Harry Sneh's collection, according to its sale record.

TITUS
AE25. 13.3g, 24.5mm. PHOENICIA, Berytus, circa AD 79-81. Cf. Sawaya 511 (D87/R? [uncertain rev. die]); RPC II 2045. O: IMP T CAESAR AVG F, bare head left. R: COL IVL AVG, Founder plowing right with ox and cow.
Ex x6 Collection, CNG E-sale 309 (21 Aug 2013) lot 175; Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection; Ex Garth R. Drewry Collection, CNG E-sale 126 (9 Dec 2005) lot 261

 

Great selection, David. I like 7 & 1 best.

 

Awesome coins David

 

Wow, quite a year for a Flavian specialist, and lots of them would be in a generalist's top 10 as well, particularly your #1 (great historical coin also, given the exact post-fire dating). Super congrats!

Well, that is the drawback of being a specialist... much harder to create categories for multiple top 10s. Though I personally would love to see a Top 10 transitional Vespasian portraits!

 

I'm glad you were able to grab so many grail coins this year. Hopefully next year will bring more. Awesome coins man.

 

Amazing coins David. The temple on the Domitian reminds me of the US Supreme court with eight facing columns and also a little like the Lincoln memorial. Now you have me curious- what is your favorite "grail" coin of all time?

 

WOW!!

Solely by devices and overall eye-appeal, #'s 1, 2 and 4 are my favorites ...but I would rate them all 1A and all the others as 1B

For those who wonder how anyone can focus on a particular 'dynasty' or Emperor, your posts and explanations make it all so abundantly clear

Congrats on a great year!!!

 

Incredible coins David. As a Flavian collector I'd love to get the crumbs you leave behind! Its a great inspiration to see what you find and to know these rarities are still out there!

I also had a great year but interestingly mine was weighted heavily towards Domitian! I used to pass him by because I thought his reverse types were boring, but on purchasing a copy of RIC II his coinage came alive to me. Almost all my purchases this year were of Domitian.

 

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-aussies-2017-favorite-buys.307692/

And of course your fondness for Marvin Tameanko's wonderful book!

 

My number one grail, likely never to be topped.


Vesspasian
AR Denarius, 2.84g
Rome mint, 74 AD
RIC 688 (R). BMC 147. RSC 569.
Obv: IMP CAESAR in exergue; Vespasian stg. r., with branch and sceptre, in quadriga r.
Rev: VESP AVG across field; Victory on prow r., with wreath and palm
Ex Nomos Obolos 4, 21 February 2016, lot 575. Ex GH Collection. Ex Superior Galleries, The Moreira sale, Part II, 10-11 December 1988, lot 2374.

How many denarii from imperial times look like this? Amazing coin.

 

Once you get past Domitian's Minerva series, there is a wealth of interesting stuff! Of course, I'm a huge fan of his Minerva series too! I obsess over it like those collectors who obsess over camp-gates.

Plus, you got to love a guy who increases the fineness of his silver and employs the best engravers. Not many emperors can say they did the same.

 

9,8,5,4,1 My faves @David Atherton ! Purely for the reverses. I am not one to get excited with Humans or archetecture on coins.

I will honor your SUPER Flavian Line-up with one of my favorites (I like the V-Man's History):


RI Vespasian 69-79 CE AE Dupondius Felicitas stdg caduceus cornucopia sinister left

 

Superb top 10 David. Any one of those would be an fantastic addition to an already terrific collection.

 

Ditto!!!

 

My estimation of your excellent taste in Flavian coinage is still as high as ever my friend.

For me it's #1 all the way! What cool coin. Large, Rome mint, official style piece of silver. That is hard to beat. Love 'em all though.

 

You had a banner year for acquiring rarities, but as far as #10 goes, 12 years? Really? You win the prize for delayed gratification!

 

Wow !

A dream, and an example to follow, for every specialized collector/numismatist !

Q