David Atherton Posted December 28, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 28, 2023 (edited) These two coins will probably be the last that I post on NF for 2023 ... and what an incredible year in coining it has been! I traditionally post my Top Ten list on 31 Dec or 1st of Jan, so stay tuned! This first coin is an incredibly rare Domitian quadrans I purchased way back in September, cruelly I just got around to unboxing it. Domitian Æ Quadrans, 2.75g Rome Mint, 86 AD Obv: IMP DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS XII; Ceres bust r., wearing wreath of corn ears, draped Rev: S C in field; Bundle of three poppies and four corn ears RIC 502A (R3). BMC 370. BNC -. Acquired from Savoca, September 2023. Small bronzes such as the quadrans were likely used in minor transactions by the plebs and sported very simple designs with popular motifs, often lacking an imperial portrait. Ceres briefly appeared on the obverse of Domitian's quadrantes in 85-86. She frequently was paired with an appropriate reverse design, such as a bundle of corn ears and poppies as seen on this example. Both the obverse and reverse celebrate Domitian's careful stewardship of the grain supply. This is a fourth known example of the rare variety with DOMITIAN fully spelled out. The other specimens are located in the BM (the only one known at the time of RIC II.1's publication), Paris, and two (!) in Berlin. In hand. The second coin I believe to be a dupondius struck under Titus and is considered to be 'common'. Domitian Æ Dupondius/As, 13.52g Rome mint, 80-81 AD Obv: CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN COS VII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: S C in field; Spes stg. l., with flower RIC 349 (C). BMC -. BNC 249. Acquired from Savoca, September 2023. The dupondii struck for Domitian Caesar under Vespasian and Titus have portraits that lack the radiate crown normally associated with that denomination. At times it can be a bit confusing determining if individual specimens are a dupondius or an as. This coin's heavier weight and yellowish hues suggests it is a dupondius. Struck under Titus in 80 or 81 after Vespasian's deification, Spes was a fairly common reverse type under Vespasian, connected to future dynastic hope and harmony. It continued to be struck by Titus and can be viewed as his hope for the future with his chosen heir Domitian. As Mattingly put it: '...the recurring types of Spes suggests that Titus gave Domitian full due as heir to the throne.' Although rated as 'common' in RIC, this variety is missing from the BM's collection. In hand. Thank you for looking and Happy New Year! Edited December 28, 2023 by David Atherton 14 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panzerman Posted December 28, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 28, 2023 Very nice! Wish You a Great 2024! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted December 28, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 28, 2023 Happy New Year, @David Atherton ! it is always fun to admire and learn from your Flavian rarities. Best wishes, S 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted December 28, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 28, 2023 Great coin! With all the fantastic rarities you've been able to acquire this year, I can't wait to see what comprises your top ten! I think I can guess the first two. 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted December 28, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted December 28, 2023 2 hours ago, CPK said: Great coin! With all the fantastic rarities you've been able to acquire this year, I can't wait to see what comprises your top ten! I think I can guess the first two. 😉 LOL! #1 and #2 were easy, the rest were difficult to place. I'm still thinking it over ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonW Posted December 28, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 28, 2023 (edited) 9 hours ago, David Atherton said: This first coin is an incredibly rare Domitian quadrans I purchased way back in September, cruelly I just got around to unboxing it. Domitian Æ Quadrans, 2.75g Rome Mint, 86 AD Obv: IMP DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS XII; Ceres bust r., wearing wreath of corn ears, draped Rev: S C in field; Bundle of three poppies and four corn ears RIC 502A (R3). BMC 370. BNC -. Acquired from Savoca, September 2023. Small bronzes such as the quadrans were likely used in minor transactions by the plebs and sported very simple designs with popular motifs, often lacking an imperial portrait. Ceres briefly appeared on the obverse of Domitian's quadrantes in 85-86. She frequently was paired with an appropriate reverse design, such as a bundle of corn ears and poppies as seen on this example. Both the obverse and reverse celebrate Domitian's careful stewardship of the grain supply. This is a fourth known example of the rare variety with DOMITIAN fully spelled out. The other specimens are located in the BM (the only one known at the time of RIC II.1's publication), Paris, and two (!) in Berlin. Congratulations @David Atherton on these two great additions to your collection. The Domitian Quadrans is indeed very rare, although there are a few more than the 4 that you mention. There are at least 3 on acsearch and an 8th specimen (?*) is in my collection: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=531619 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1240837 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=10096390 https://www.collection.ly/9QjWzTLtrW/Y0YmEmeGCR * I didn't check if any of the acsearch specimens are the ones in the BM, Paris or Berlin. All are from the same obverse and reverse dies. Edited December 28, 2023 by SimonW 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted December 28, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 28, 2023 Nice additions @David Atherton, I'm looking forward to your list 🙂 My end years list may include two or three Flavians, depending on the arrival of one Flavian that's been stuck in some german DHL export center since December 1st.... I hope it will arrive safe and soon, because it's a fantastic coin (if I may say so). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted December 28, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted December 28, 2023 6 hours ago, SimonW said: Congratulations @David Atherton on these two great additions to your collection. The Domitian Quadrans is indeed very rare, although there are a few more than the 4 that you mention. There are at least 3 on acsearch and an 8th specimen (?*) is in my collection: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=531619 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1240837 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=10096390 https://www.collection.ly/9QjWzTLtrW/Y0YmEmeGCR * I didn't check if any of the acsearch specimens are the ones in the BM, Paris or Berlin. All are from the same obverse and reverse dies. Thank you for informing me of the additional specimens! I only checked the major collections and didn't look into previous auction records. Still, as you say, a very rare variety! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted December 28, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted December 28, 2023 5 hours ago, Limes said: Nice additions @David Atherton, I'm looking forward to your list 🙂 My end years list may include two or three Flavians, depending on the arrival of one Flavian that's been stuck in some german DHL export center since December 1st.... I hope it will arrive safe and soon, because it's a fantastic coin (if I may say so). Looking forward to your list as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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