Rare Domitian Denarius

Hi all, I just ordered this rare Domitian denarius from CE 83. I loved the portrait on the obverse and the reverse Minerva imho is amazingly well preserved.

I want to thank David Atherton for double-checking the references for me so I could be sure what I was looking at.

Sorry for the small image. I am using the seller's pics until I can take my own.

Please feel free to post your own coins of Domitian. I would like to see them.




Domitianus (81 - 96 AD).
Denarius. 83 AD Rome.
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M. Head with laurel wreath on the right.
Rev: TR POT II COS VIIII OF THE XP P. Minerva with lance and shield on capital standing to the right, in front of it an owl.
20 mm 3.47 g
RIC 164 (R2); C.606; BMC 4

 

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Sweet coin, congrats!! I am looking for a Domitian denarius for 2018.

 

That Minerva is really well done. A great coin rare or not.

 

Sweet coin Andrew!
After neglecting Domitian for years last year I added quite a few of his. I have rarer types but I just love this portrait and patina:


RIC 544 Domitian As
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XIII CENS PER PP
Laureate head of Domitian right

FORTVNAE AVGVSTI SC
Fortuna standing left holding rudder and cornucopiae

Rome 87 AD

10.9g

RIC 544 (C3)

 

Thanks Jay. I really like the reverse on your coin, but that portrait is great.

 

A very special denarius, struck in the very first issue which introduced the four standard Minerva types that would dominate the denarius issues for the remainder of the reign. Also, one of the first types struck at the new standard of nearly 100% silver fineness!

Congrats on such a great find! And much better than my example!!

 

Very nice, well detailed Domitian! Congrats on a great coin.

 

That is a great coin @Orfew
Congrats on such a nice acquisition.

 

COOL @Orfew ! Nice first issue!


RI Domitian AR Denarius 81-96 CE Minerva thunderbolt spear shield protruded chin COS XV CENS PPP RIC 726

Check out the Chin and Mustache! This is the rare 1970's version...

 

Wow, really nice! The details on the reverse are outstanding especially the scene portrayed on the center of the capital.

From Dressel, Berlin Medallions (published 1973), p. 14, note 1: 'Cohen 237 note says, "a standing figure and a seated figure".
Gnecchi, Medaglioni I, p. 43, 4 says "two small figures, the one on the left seated and the second one kneeling before the seated figure." As can be seen on many of the more carefully engraved specimens [Dressel continues], the first figure is shown seated right, while the second figure kneels before the first figure, with arms raised in entreaty.'

On your example, i think the figure on the left in kneeling right, arms raised toward the seated figure on the right.

 

Nice score! I really like that portrait and the reverse is sharp!

 

@Nemo thanks very much for that analysis. I wondered what those were on the capital. That explanation is very interesting.

 

Here's a Domitian with Minerva:


Domitian, AD 81-96
Roman AR denarius; 3.43 g, 18 mm
Rome, AD 91
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR XI (error; should read TR P XI), laureate head, right
Rev: IMP XII COS XV CENS P P P, Minerva advancing right, brandishing a javelin and holding a shield
Refs: RIC 156; RIC² 724; BMCRE p. 336, note; Cohen 269; RCV --

 

I love your coin. Especially the reverse. I have one of these, but can you tell why it's considered rare?

 

I have a domitian inbound! Here's my cool saturnalia gift until then...

 

Your coin has a rare dating combination. I wrote this note for my example:

'Domitian did not take the consulship in 89, so this rare denarius is dated by TR P VIII between September 88 and September 89. The date can be further narrowed down by the 17th imperial acclamation. A military diploma dated 7 November, 88 records Domitian as IMP XVII, so this issue must have been struck briefly at the end of 88, perhaps just a month or so due to the rarity of the acclamation number on the denarii and the fact they were being awarded at a fairly rapid pace due to increased military activity along the Danube.'

 

Thank you David.

 

Great coin Bing!

Here's my rare date combo Domitian:



RIC 591 Domitian denarius
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VII
Laureate head right

IMP XV COS XIIII CENS P P P
Minerva advancing right with spear and shield

January 1- September 13, 88 AD

Rome

3.2g

RIC 591 (R2)

IMP XV is a rare acclamation for Domitian, quickly superseded by IMP XVI. Only four denarii with that title are recorded, all rated R2 by RIC

 

Some great coins in this thread. I don’t actively collect Domitian but I couldn’t pass this one up.

Domitian. AD 81-96. AR Denarius, 20mm, 3.50g. Rome mint. Struck AD 85
O: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Laureate bust Domitian right with aegis
R: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column with spear and shield; aegis draped over back with snakes around; owl to right.
- RIC 334

Minerva was clearly the favorite goddess and patroness of Domitian, evidenced here by his wearing of her aegis.
In the Thebaid, Minerva is represented as a terrifying battle goddess, entrusted with Jupiter's horrible aegis, that terrifies the Thebans. The popular perception of Domitian as cruel and capricious was entirely consistent with the wanton destructiveness of Minerva in the epic.

 

Great aegis on that Domitian! Very much like the one on my tet.