I know I've been on a huge Islamic/Indian tear over the last 2 months, but I finally made some time for another Roman which I was badly in need of to take a step closer towards completing a set of Flavian Emperors (one of my long term goals), a Domitian AR Denarius of Minerva. Not because this is my coin, but isn't this one handsome portrait of Domitian? And look at that old toning. I love silver black beauties, so that old toning was a huge motivator in my purchase of this coin. What do you think of my coin? And see, I haven't forgotten ancient European coins, despite my recent passions for the more obscure Indian and Islamic coinage. Domitian AR Denarius 19mm. 3.10g. Rome Mint 87 A.D. Laureate head, r. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VII Minerva advancing r., brandishing javelin and holding shield on prow of ship, eagle at feet. IMP XIIII COS XIII CENS P P P RIC II 92; RSC II 218 Oh, and let me share again my denarius of his daddy, Emperor Vespasian. Feel free to share your Domitian or Flavian coinage in general...or if you don't have any, how about a silver dark beauty? If you have some nice old toning on those coins, don't hide them, share!
I love the portraits Domitian's engravers were producing in 87. Yours is a great example of why I find them quite fetching. Nicely toned too.
Wrong bird, but seriously, great coin... I really like the portrait and toning. I have one of these, from a later issue, and not as nice. And some old cabinet toning...
Nice => that's a very sweet lookin' OP-example, Sallent (congrats) Ummm, here are a few of my Flav-favs ... Vespasian Titus => and yup, it's Dom the Bomb!! (back for another curtain-call)
I used to have an example of the OP coin that I bought in person at Spink in London some years ago. FWIW, I believe that is an owl at Minerva's feet and not and eagle. Congrats Sallent.
Glad I got a good year for portraits then, considering I did get one of his common as dirt silver issues. What about Titus? Any particular silver types that you would recommend?
Yes, it's an owl. Another FWIW, Minerva is actually standing on the capitol of a rostral column decorated with prows. Many older references erroneously say she is standing on a 'prow'.
If you are going to have one denarius type of Titus as Augustus, you would be hard pressed to find a better one than the elephant reverse from 80 AD, RIC 115. It was struck to commemorate the opening games of the Colosseum. My very first Titus denarius was this type. Sentimentally, it's one of my favourite coins.
That is a great Domitian nose --- portrait. I admit preferring coins of his that are not Minerva simply because so many are but the owl is a good choice if you can have just one. I believe the best single Titus is the dolphin Steve showed from his series honoring gods who might protect Rome from any more Vesuvius type troubles. The elephant as mentioned is fine also as a link to the Colosseum opening. Titus has a lot of nice animals. Perhaps the pigs outrank the bull and capricorn because of the Judaean connection but, if pressed to have just one, I'd cover Judaea with a Vespasian and use Titus for Vesuvius.
This denarius copies a reverse struck by Marc Antony and was coined for Titus as Caesar under Vespasian with whom the type is shared. During Vespasian's reign many older reverse types were recycled from the past, giving the coinage antiquarian and restorative characteristics.
More recent scholarship (Elkins, the new RIC) possibly link the pulvinaria types to the opening games of the Colosseum. Who knows, perhaps in another 50 years scholarly consensus will come back to a Vesuvius connection.
Great coin. I love that kind of toning too. Domitian (81 - 96 A.D.) AR Denarius O IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VI, laureate head right. R: IMP XIIII COS XIII CENS P P P, Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column, holding spear and shield, owl at foot right. Rome Mint, 87 A.D. 3.3g 19mm (RIC [1962] 92), RSC 218, BMC 103
Here is one of mine. I really like the portrait on this one. Vespasian. AD 69-79. AR Denarius Rome mint. Struck AD 74. (18.47 mm, 3.39 g, 6h). Obv: IMP CAESAR VESP AUG Laureate head right Rev: PONTIF MAXIM Vespasian seated right, holding scepter and branch. RIC II 685; BMCRE pg. 27 ; RSC 386. Ex: J. Eric Engstrom Collection Ex: CNG E-auction 373, Lot 366 April 20, 2016
