Rugged Rarites

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, May 31, 2020.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    As I've mentioned before, specialists have to take what they can get when it comes to rarities. I recently purchased a small batch (hoard?) of rare Domitian denarii struck during his first few months as Augustus. All are coins only a specialist could love. Here is the first one.


    D37.jpg
    Domitian
    AR Denarius, 2.96g
    Rome mint, 81 AD
    Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
    Rev: COS VII DES VIII P P; Tripod with fillets; above, dolphin
    RIC 37 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.

    An early rare 'PONT' denarius struck from Domitian's 3rd denarius issue of 81. 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. The tripod and dolphin reverse is a carry-over pulvinaria type struck originally for Titus and perhaps connected to the religious ceremonies for the opening games of the Colosseum. Domitian finished the structure early in his reign which perhaps explains the continued striking of the pulvinar issue.

    Stay tuned for more ...
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2020
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  3. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    A great addition David. I love these PONT denarii. They highlight the complexities of trying to understand the first year coinage of Domitian.
     
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  4. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Coin #2 from the small hoard. Another first year Domitian denarius.


    D50.jpg
    Domitian
    AR Denarius, 2.82g
    Rome Mint, 81 AD
    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; Curule chair, wreath above
    RIC 50 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
    Ex Private Collection.

    The curule chair and wreath possibly represents the pulvinar of Divus Vespasian, honouring his labours in building the Colosseum. Although the type itself is common, it is extremely rare with the DIVI VESP F (Son of the Divine Vespasian) obverse legend.

    Again, stay tuned ...
     
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  5. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Another great addition. I am always on the lookout for these coins with that rare obverse legend.
     
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  6. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    And finally, here is the last denarius from this small 'hoard'.


    D60.jpg
    Domitian
    AR Denarius, 3.19g
    Rome mint, 81 AD
    Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
    Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; Minerva stg. l., with Victory and spear; at feet, shield
    RIC 60 (R2). BMC p. 299 §. RSC 565. BNC -.
    Ex Private Collection.

    A rare Group 4 'PONT' denarius depicting a cult image of Minerva holding Victory. This Minerva/Victory type was only struck within the first year of Domitian's accession and would not become one of the standard Minerva types repeated throughout the reign. The religious ceremonies required for Domitian to assume the title Pontifex Maximus had not yet finished by the time this denarius was produced. Here he is simply PONT, or in other words a member of the College of Pontiffs. 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 denarii and he was never Pontifex Maximus under Vespasian - only the emperor can be Pontifex Maximus or greatest priest.

    RIC cites one example in the ANS collection, the BM cites Cohen 565. Missing from the Paris collection.


    I could have posted separate entries for each coin, but they were similar enough I believe to be posted together.

    Thank you for looking!
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2020
    FitzNigel, randygeki, Sulla80 and 3 others like this.
  7. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Now that third one is my favourite! I love the reverse with Minerva holding victory. I would love to have this one in my collection. Yes David I am jealous of that one.
     
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  8. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    High praise indeed!
     
  9. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    A neat lot!
     
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