Very rare Domitian

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Orfew, Nov 9, 2019.

  1. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I was at a coins show this morning. There was only one dealer with ancient coins. As it happens he is a friend- Gary Miller of Londinium coins. I found this Domitian within the first 2 minutes but I spent some time looking through his other available coins. I saw a few nice Domitian sestertii and a really rare Dupondius from the first year of issue.

    When I saw this denarius I knew I had to have it. I have been looking for a coin with this very rare dating combination for at least 2 years. I saw one become available from the same issue but not the same Minerva stance last year. It was bought by Jay. I hope if he reads this he will post it.

    The portrait is great. The photo does not capture the iridescence on the obverse.The reverse is not as nice. There are some accretions on the figure of Minerva. That did not dissuade me however because I knew that if I let it get away it might be years before another came my way. The coin is much darker than the photo below. Look carefully at the bust. You can actually see the side burns and the beard!

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    Domitian AR denarius 88 CE
    Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VII; Laureate head right
    Rev: IMP XV COS XIIII CENS P P P
    RIC 592 (R2)
    Purchased from Gary Miller Londinium Coins

    Domitian RIC 592 remove bg.jpg
     
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  3. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Nice catch!
     
  4. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Nice pick up Andrew. I love how the portrait has traces of a 5 o’clock shadow.

    My humble Domitian is nothing to write home about but here she is :)
    D18239B6-CCFA-4199-91D7-F13D3D34EFD1.jpeg
    I need to take a new photo of this one at some point.
     
  5. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    That is a nice one Curtis. It is 692 in the new RIC.
     
    Curtisimo likes this.
  6. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Thanks Andrew. Now I have another reason to update my photo!
     
    Orfew likes this.
  7. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    An outstanding portrait on that one. Rarity is a bonus!
     
    Orfew likes this.
  8. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Thanks @Nemo for the kind words, they are appreciated. I agree with you about the portrait, it is stunning in person.
     
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  9. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Which is why I describe Domitian's obverses as laureate and bearded! On most specimens the beard is worn away and people assume he doesn't have one.

    I only have one coin from this issue, very rare indeed. Nice catch!

    D591a.jpg Domitian
    AR Denarius, 3.45g
    Rome mint, 88 AD
    Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
    Rev: IMP XV COS XIIII CENS P P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1)
    RIC 591 (R2). BMC 129. RSC 242. BNC 119.
    Acquired from Praefectus Coins, April 2014.
     
  10. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    Glad you got one Andrew, I guess I missed this one in Gary's tray or assumed I already had it. Congrats!

    Here's the one you missed :D
    Domitian_COS_XIIII.jpg

    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)
     
  11. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    That really is an unusual and wonderful portrait of Loki Domitian!

    Totally looks like Tom Hiddleston:

    TLL-Domitian-Hiddleston-Orfew.jpg
     
  12. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Artist & Historian Supporter

    It is a beautiful coin, @Orfew ! You made the right decision to purchase it.

    My Æ Domitian from Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch
    DOMITIAN_ANTIOCH_POST_IT.jpg


     
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  13. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    You are right @TIF the resemblance is "striking".
     
    TIF likes this.
  14. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ...nice one Orfew..well @David Atherton ..looks like you've converted a member to the Flavian way..:)
     
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  15. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I was finally able to get a shot of the coin the way it actually looks. When I took the original I could not get the lighting right. Imho the obverse portrait is stunning.

    Domitian RIC 592 New photo.jpg
     
    ominus1, Alegandron, Jay GT4 and 6 others like this.
  16. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    This one has also Minerva on reverse and was struck at Samaria. Hendin 749. Hope it's rare as well.

    DomitMnerv O         Samaria.JPG Domitnerv R  Hendin749.JPG
     
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