David Atherton Posted March 24 · Member Share Posted March 24 I'm never disappointed when receiving a Domitian bronze ... especially his early ones, which can be quite pleasing in hand (the video shows this aspect off better). Domitian Æ Sestertius, 26.73g Rome mint, 82 AD Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VIII DES VIIII P P; S C in field; Minerva stg. l., with spear RIC 105 (C2). BMC 274. BNC 285. Acquired from Classic World Coins, February 2024. Minerva's prominence on Domitian's coinage first showed up on his early bronzes produced in 81-82 before she dominated his denarii. While Domitian's initial denarius output is dominated by the carry-over pulvinar types from Titus, his first two issues of sestertii have a more personal touch with the reverses featuring his patron deity. This common sestertius struck in early 82, just prior to the mint's overhaul later the same year, demonstrates that the finest engravers were not just reserved for Domitian's aurei. A superb portrait and fine reverse. In hand. Thanks for looking! 11 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted March 24 · Member Share Posted March 24 Great find! What a stunning coin! Congratulations! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted March 24 · Member Share Posted March 24 (edited) Sorry, it seems it posted twice. Edited March 24 by Hughie Dwyer Double-post, sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted March 24 · Supporter Share Posted March 24 A great addition for you. Lovely coin and with a deep green patina to add to its appeal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted March 24 · Patron Share Posted March 24 That's a lovely coin, @David Atherton, with a pleasing patina. I love the heft of a sestertius in hand! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted March 24 · Supporter Share Posted March 24 (edited) The two sestertii sitting closest to me (a Gordian and a Lucilla) weigh 22 and 20g respectively, and the 17g Tetradrachm is a nice coin, but nothing quite like a 26g Domitian Sestertius. Congrats on your latest addition. @dougsmit's web page on die matches, mentions how dies and portraits become familiar over time.. "The single most powerful tool in recognizing die matches is a familiarity the student develops with the coins being studied. Known dies become familiar 'faces' and require only confirmation by checking the minor points." -Doug Smith, Die Identification Techniques Do you have a favorite die or portrait for Domitian? Edited March 24 by Sulla80 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted March 24 · Supporter Share Posted March 24 That's a lovely coin! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted March 24 · Member Share Posted March 24 (edited) Nice bronze! My Domitian..in brass Edited March 24 by AETHER 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted March 24 · Member Author Share Posted March 24 (edited) 4 hours ago, Sulla80 said: Do you have a favorite die or portrait for Domitian? Probably this one as Caesar under Titus. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=156227 They really don't come much better than that. I think it's no accident it's provenanced to a portrait painter. Edited March 24 by David Atherton 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted March 24 · Member Share Posted March 24 It is a really nice coin. Yes, the coin has a really fantastic portrait, especially from the early ones. The ones I mainly collect are the later, idealized ones. I forget where it was, probably Forum, but someone once posted a statue from Anatolia depicting what he really looked like. I'm no Fabio myself, but I can see why he idealized the portraits if that giant statue was true. The size would also help further appreciate coins like this. The bigger, the better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted March 24 · Supporter Share Posted March 24 1 hour ago, David Atherton said: Probably this one as Caesar under Titus. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=156227 They really don't come much better than that. I think it's no accident it's provenanced to a portrait painter. That is a stunning portrait! Thanks for sharing. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantivs Posted March 24 · Member Share Posted March 24 this worn sestertius of Domitian is very chunky at 30.75g Domitian, 81 - 96 AD AE Sestertius, Rome Mint, 35mm, 30.75 grams Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GER M COS XIII CENS PER P P, Laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse: IOVI VICTORI S C, Jupiter seated left holding Victory and scepter. RIC526 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAZ Numismatics Posted March 25 · Member Share Posted March 25 Superb coin!! It looks so much better in the video than in the still image. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted March 25 · Member Author Share Posted March 25 1 hour ago, JAZ Numismatics said: Superb coin!! It looks so much better in the video than in the still image. Thanks! I think with videos, especially for big bronzes, you get a better idea of their heft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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