A Deceptively Rare Domitian

[David Atherton]

Sestertii struck for Domitian Caesar are not rare ... unless they were struck under Vespasian! And one could be forgiven for thinking this Pax reverse is a yawner.

In many respects this coin is deceptively rare.

 

Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian]
Æ Sestertius, 27.15g
Rome mint, 76-77 AD
Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS IIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: PAX AVGVSTI; S C in field; Pax stg. l., with branch and cornucopiae
RIC 925 (R2). BMC -. BNC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk BBS 225, 30 November 2023, lot 69. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Pagan, Yahoo!, 26 March 2003.

Domitian Caesar's sestertii under Vespasian are exceedingly rare. This Pax type struck in either 76 or early 77 is missing from both the BM and Paris collections. Nice bold portrait in fine style.

It's a beautiful coin in hand.

 

Please share your own 'deceptively' rare coins.

As always, thank you for looking and watching!

Edited November 8, 2023 by David Atherton

[Al Kowsky]

2 hours ago, David Atherton said:

Sestertii struck for Domitian Ceasar are not rare ... unless they were struck under Vespasian! And one could be forgiven for thinking this Pax reverse is a yawner.

In many respects this coin is deceptively rare.

 

Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian]
Æ Sestertius, 27.15g
Rome mint, 76-77 AD
Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS IIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: PAX AVGVSTI; S C in field; Pax stg. l., with branch and cornucopiae
RIC 925 (R2). BMC -. BNC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk BBS 225, 30 November 2023, lot 69. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Pagan, Yahoo!, 26 March 2003.

Domitian Caesar's sestertii under Vespasian are exceedingly rare. This Pax type struck in either 76 or early 77 is missing from both the BM and Paris collections. Nice bold portrait in fine style.

It's a beautiful coin in hand.

 

Please share your own 'deceptively' rare coins.

As always, thank you for looking and watching!

Both sides are well struck & the coin has an attractive patina that hasn't been marred by over-cleaning 🤩!

Edited November 8, 2023 by Al Kowsky
spelling correction