David Atherton Posted January 9, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 9, 2023 (edited) This is not a type you come across everyday! Not in high grade, but the rarity of the piece allows me to be very forgiving. Domitian Æ Obol, 4.03g Alexandria mint, 92-93 AD Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, l. Rev: LΙB; Dolphin coiled round anchor RPC 2693 (0 spec.). Emmett 308.12f. Dattari-Savio -. Acquired from Marc Breitsprecher, December 2022. An extremely scarce Alexandrian obol from Domitian's regnal year 12. The dolphin is the totem animal of Poseidon and likely can be viewed in that context here. Although, one cannot help but be reminded of an identical dolphin and anchor pulvinar type struck previously by Titus and Domitian between 80-82 at Rome on the denarius. Surprisingly missing from the Dattari collection. For comparison, here is a Rome mint example of the dolphin and anchor type struck over a decade before for Domitian. Domitian AR Denarius, 2.62g Rome mint, 81 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG PONT; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; Dolphin coiled round anchor RIC 52 (R2). BMC p. 299, ||. RSC -. BNC -. Ex Lanz (eBay), February 2017. As always, thank you for looking! Edited January 9, 2023 by David Atherton 18 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted January 9, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 9, 2023 Fascinating coin! Of course I'm familiar with the Titus type, but I didn't know that there was a dolphin denarius struck for Domitian as well. Here is my Titus/dolphin denarius: 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Phil Davis Posted January 9, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted January 9, 2023 I'm pretty jaded David, but that's a very cool coin. I had no idea the type even existed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor LONGINUS Posted January 9, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted January 9, 2023 Great coin, David! I’ve a Flavian dolphin which also happens to be my one and only Titus. I was saving this one for@CPK’s excellent “Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery” but I suppose it won’t hurt to post it twice 🤨 — or, maybe I need to shop for another Titus 🙂. 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted January 10, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 10, 2023 (edited) kool David....i have one like @LONGINUS(except facing left) with a Dolphin....it seems to be a fouree now.. but i didn't know it when i bought it all those years ago...9_9... Edited January 10, 2023 by ominus1 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted January 10, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 (edited) Thanks everyone for the kind comments! Here is the piece in hand ... the OP photo didn't do it justice. Edited January 11, 2023 by David Atherton 9 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay GT4 Posted January 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 10, 2023 Fantastic rarity David. Congrats! Here's my Rome mint denarius 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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