An unpublished bust variant on a Domitian "Flying Minerva" denarius

[FlaviusDomitianus]

Hello everyone.

It's always nice to spot new types or variants, so I'm glad to share my last find.

The last edition of RIC lists two obverse types in combination with this reverse: laureate head (RIC 791), bust draped and cuirassed (RIC 792).

The aegis, as on my coin, was unpublished so far for this last Domitian issue of denarii.

The variant was overlooked by the seller.

Kind regards

Alberto


https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-119653

[David Atherton]

This is such a wonderful piece on so many levels. Solid evidence that this new series of denarii was considered special by the mint!

Congrats and well spotted!

[FlaviusDomitianus]

Thanks David, I'm sure that there is much more to be discovered about this last issue.

Albert.

[traveler]

Amazing. I was watching this auction too, and was a little puzzled to see the bids shoot so high. I thought it was the beautiful reverse, but now I understand. Congrats!

[Nemonater]

Congrats Alberto, great find.

[quadrans]

Hello everyone.

It's always nice to spot new types or variants, so I'm glad to share my last find.

The last edition of RIC lists two obverse types in combination with this reverse: laureate head (RIC 791), bust draped and cuirassed (RIC 792).

The aegis, as on my coin, was unpublished so far for this last Domitian issue of denarii.

The variant was overlooked by the seller.

Kind regards

Alberto


https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-119653

 Nice and Interesting coin Alberto 

 Congratulation 

 Q.

[curtislclay]

The aegis, as on my coin, was unpublished so far for this last Domitian issue of denarii.

The aegis wouldn't be so unusual if it were known on denarii of the preceding issue with TR P XIIII, or on Domitian's Temple denarii which also seem to have been struck around this time.

The fact is, however, that though the aegis had been common on Domitian's denarii in 84-5, it had more or less disappeared from that denomination from 86 on. So it is surprising to see the aegis reappearing on a few rare denarii of 88 (RIC pp. 304-5), and now again on this previously unpublished denarius of 95-6!

[FlaviusDomitianus]

Thanks for your comment Curtis.

I've forwarded the coin to prof. Carradice.

He wrote me back that he and prof. Buttrey in the meantime have recorded a new denarius with a temple reverse.

It appears that this last issues (including AE) have a greater variety than most of those of previous years and this, in his opinion, could be linked to Domitian's 15th anniversary.

Best

Alberto

[curtislclay]

It appears that these last issues (including AE) have a greater variety than most of those of previous years and this, in his opinion, could be linked to Domitian's 15th anniversary.

I am skeptical of this idea, since there was no observable quinquennalian issue of coins for Domitian in 86 and no decennalian issue in 91.

It's always best to follow Eckhel's principle I think: if we have no apt and probable explanation for a phenomenon, then we should frankly admit that the causes are unknown. It is astonishing, Eckhel continues, how much light Roman coins can cast on a great many matters; so we should not find it disgraceful to admit that some other questions apparently cannot be answered.