Maybe some of you eagle-eyed CTers can see what is so special about this denarius struck for Domitian in 95-96 AD?
Just a guess: has it something to do with a missing bird? My RIC says that there should be an owl at Minerva's feet. I don't see one.
Excellent coin David. That is the first example of a Minerva type M2 error with no owl that I have seen. A very nice addition to your collection.
Correct guys! This is an unusual example of the standard Minerva on capital of rostral column lacking the owl, which should be at her feet to the right. Given the rigorous standards in place at the mint under Domitian this is a mistake you will not see on another coin. Not long after this coin was struck Domitian fell victim to a palace plot. I wonder if he had seen this coin would he have taken it as an ill omen? Domitian AR Denarius, 3.10g Rome mint, 95-96 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XV; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P; Minerva stg. r. on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield (M2) RIC 788 var. BMC 231 var. RSC 293 var. BNC 207 var. Ex Private Collection.
Yes, I think he would have. Since the owl is representative of Minerva an owless coin would have been a sign that Minerva had deserted him. If I remember correctly, I think Domitian had a dream shortly before his death. In that dream Minerva had deserted him.
@David Atherton, congrats on the rare Minerva and thanks for the interesting post. Here's my common Minerva (type M2) on the capital of rostral column with blurry owl, struck about 7 years earlier. Domitian, AD 81-96. AR Denarius, 3.53g, 18.8mm, Rome mint Struck AD 14-Sept-88 to 13-Sept-89, fourth issue with TR P VIII and IMP XIX COS XIIII. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VIII, laureate head right Rev: IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS P P P, Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column, holding spear and shield; owl standing to right Ref: RIC II 668
