Domitian's white horse

[Jeremy]

In 71 AD, following the conquest of Judaea, the Flavian imperial family rode into the city of Rome in a triumphal procession. Vespasian and Titus led, as it was their joint triumph, while Domitian (then Caesar) followed with the other family members. He rode on a magnificent white horse, which is shown on this denarius - one of a series of coins commemorating the event.

I've read that it's the first denarius struck at Rome for Domitian.

I've owned a few of his denarii with Minerva reverses but hadn't noticed this type at auction until recently.

Domitian, as Caesar under Vespasian, AR silver denarius 

Caesar 70-81 AD; Augustus 81-96 AD
Struck 73 AD in Rome
Obverse: CAES AVG F DOMIT COS II, laureate head right.
Reverse: Domitian, togate, riding on horse prancing left, holding sceptre in left hand and raising right.
References: RIC 680 (C); BMC 129; RSC 664; BNC 105.
19mm; 3.2g 

Feel free to share any related examples!

[David Atherton]

Wonderful example with a very stylish portrait! The Rome mint could on occasion produce some exquisite miniature art. 

Here is a less common bronze example of the same type.

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=170108

[Roman Collector]

Lovely denarius, @Jeremy! But I always laugh when I see the proportions of the horse and rider on Roman coins. It reminds me of ...

I don't have a Flavian equestrian, so I'll post this "My Little Pony" issue of Trebonianus Gallus.


Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253.
Roman AR antoninianus, 3.82 g, 19.7 mm, 11 h.
Antioch, second series, AD 251-252.
Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: ADVENTVS AVG, Emperor on horseback, left, raising right hand and holding scepter.
Refs: RIC 79; Cohen 2; RCV 9622; Hunter 56; ERIC II 44.

[Jeremy]

42 minutes ago, Roman Collector said:

Lovely denarius, @Jeremy! But I always laugh when I see the proportions of the horse and rider on Roman coins. It reminds me of ...

I don't have a Flavian equestrian, so I'll post this "My Little Pony" issue of Trebonianus Gallus.


Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253.
Roman AR antoninianus, 3.82 g, 19.7 mm, 11 h.
Antioch, second series, AD 251-252.
Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: ADVENTVS AVG, Emperor on horseback, left, raising right hand and holding scepter.
Refs: RIC 79; Cohen 2; RCV 9622; Hunter 56; ERIC II 44.

Nice coin! The proportion of man to horse is definitely unrealistic 🙂

 

Edited May 29, 2022 by Jeremy

[Helvius Pertinax]

Oh, interesting story! I have a really worn example of the type. Id like to post it, but i may or may not have lost my phone that has every single coin pic of mine on it 😞