Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 4773229, member: 82616&quot;]Normally I like to savour my new coins one at a time giving each one its own special spotlight. However, I recently purchased two denarii that are so closely related to each other that it only makes sense to present them together. Both are very rare PONT denarii struck for Domitian within his first few months as emperor.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1162416[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Domitian</b></p><p>AR Denarius, 3.23g</p><p>Rome mint, 81 AD</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.</p><p>Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; Altar, garlanded and lighted</p><p>RIC 41 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.</p><p>Ex Private Collection, July 2020.</p><p><br /></p><p>An early pulvinar PONT denarius struck towards the end of 81. The reverse is a carry-over type from Titus&#039;s pulvinar issue struck to commemorate the opening games of the Colosseum.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The second coin is from the same issue as the above denarius but with a slightly different obverse legend.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1162417[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Domitian</b></p><p>AR Denarius, 3.22g</p><p>Rome mint, 81 AD</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.</p><p>Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; Curule chair, wreath above</p><p>RIC 46 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.</p><p>Ex Private Collection, July 2020.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is another PONT denarius but with the legend variant of DOMITIANVS fully spelled out. The reverse features another pulvinar type carried-over from Titus&#039;s last denarius issue struck in celebration of the Colosseum&#039;s dedication. It possibly represents the pulvinar of Divus Vespasian, honouring his labours in building the structure.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The abbreviation PONT for Ponitfex Maximus must have come early in the sequence of titles Domitian employed on his denarii and likely was short lived if its rarity is any indication. The records of the Arval brothers do not show Domitian as Pontifex Maximus by 30 October, so presumably he acquired the title in either November or December.&nbsp; Historically, PONT did not stand for Pontifex Maximus under Augustus, but did so under Nero (PONT was used after Nero was already Pontifex Maximus, BMC 9). It is <i>possible</i> Domitian followed Nero&#039;s example and used PONT as an abbreviation for Pontifex Maximus. Conversely, it is also possible he followed in Augustus&#039; footsteps and used the temporary title PONT until the ceremony electing him to the position was completed. We simply do not know.</p><p><br /></p><p>Curtis Clay wrote this concerning the PONT conundrum: &#039;As to interpretation, I don&#039;t doubt that PONT on the denarii means that Domitian had not yet been elected Pontifex Maximus. Carradice was in error to think that Nero&#039;s bronzes sometimes have just PONT at a time when the emperor was certainly already Pontifex Maximus: those obv. dies with PONT were meant to go with reverses continuing MAX etc., and it was just sloppy work by the mint when a PONT obv. was coupled with a rev. not beginning MAX.&#039;</p><p><br /></p><p>Some have argued that PONT is the same as PM, I disagree. Titus as Caesar early on had also used the title PONT on his coinage and he was certainly never Pontifex Maximus under Vespasian - only the emperor can be Pontifex Maximus or greatest priest!</p><p><br /></p><p>Do you have a coin with PONT in the legend? I would like to see it.[/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