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69-96 AD

Provincial coins are arranged according to RPC II. Contemporary issues for different members of the imperial family are listed alongside each other, starting with the ruling emperor.

References cited:
• RPC - Roman Provincial Coinage II, A. Burnett, M. Amandry, I. Carradice (London and Paris, 1999)
• Hendin - Guide to Biblical Coins, D. Hendin (New York, 2010)
• Emmett - Alexandrian Coins, K. Emmett (Lodi, Wisconsin, 2001)
• Dattari-Savio - Catalogo completo della collezione Dattari Numi Augg. Alexandrini, A. Savio, ed. (Trieste, 1999)
• Prieur - The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms and their Fractions from 57 BC to AD 258, M. Prieur & K. Prieur (Lancaster, PA, 2000)

RPC frequency is determined by the number of specimens in the 'core collections'.

The Core collections:
Berlin, Staatliche Museen
Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum
Copenhagen, Nationalmuseet
Glasgow, Hunterian Museum
London, British Museum
Munich, Staatliche Münzsammlung
New York, American Numismatic Society
Oxford, Ashmolean Museum
Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum

165 files, last one added on Sep 27, 2023
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The Reign of Domitian - Imperial Coins

81-96 AD

Imperial coins are arranged according to the new RIC II Part 1. Contemporary issues for different members of the imperial family are listed alongside each other, starting with the ruling emperor.

References cited:
• RIC - The Roman Imperial Coinage II Part 1, I. Carradice and T.V. Buttrey (London, 2007)
• BMC - Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum II, H. Mattingly (London, 1966)
• RSC - Roman Silver Coins II, H.A. Seaby (London, 1979)
• RPC - Roman Provincial Coinage II, A. Burnett, M. Amandry, I. Carradice (London and Paris, 1999)
• BNC - Monnaies de l'Empire Romain III, J.-B. Giard (Paris, 1998)
• Hendin - Guide to Biblical Coins, D. Hendin (New York, 2010)

RIC frequency ratings:
R3 = unique
R2 = very few examples known
R = rare
C = common
C2 = very common
C3 = extremely common

Common Minerva Types:
M1 Minerva advancing right, brandishing spear
M2 Minerva advancing right, brandishing spear, on capital of rostral column, accompanied by owl
M3 Minerva standing, facing left, with thunderbolt and spear and shield behind her feet
M4 Minerva standing left with spear

288 files, last one added on Aug 23, 2023
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The Reign of Titus - Imperial Coins

79-81 AD

Imperial coins are arranged according to the new RIC II Part 1. Contemporary issues for different members of the imperial family are listed alongside each other, starting with the ruling emperor.

References cited:
• RIC - The Roman Imperial Coinage II Part 1, I. Carradice and T.V. Buttrey (London, 2007)
• BMC - Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum II, H. Mattingly (London, 1966)
• RSC - Roman Silver Coins II, H.A. Seaby (London, 1979)
• RPC - Roman Provincial Coinage II, A. Burnett, M. Amandry, I. Carradice (London and Paris, 1999)
• BNC - Monnaies de l'Empire Romain III, J.-B. Giard (Paris, 1998)
• Hendin - Guide to Biblical Coins, D. Hendin (New York, 2010)

RIC frequency ratings:
R3 = unique
R2 = very few examples known
R = rare
C = common
C2 = very common
C3 = extremely common

151 files, last one added on Sep 06, 2023
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The Reign of Vespasian - Imperial Coins

69-79 AD

Imperial coins are arranged according to the new RIC II Part 1. Contemporary issues for different members of the imperial family are listed alongside each other, starting with the ruling emperor.

References cited:
• RIC - The Roman Imperial Coinage II Part 1, I. Carradice and T.V. Buttrey (London, 2007)
• BMC - Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum II, H. Mattingly (London, 1966)
• RSC - Roman Silver Coins II, H.A. Seaby (London, 1979)
• RPC - Roman Provincial Coinage II, A. Burnett, M. Amandry, I. Carradice (London and Paris, 1999)
• BNC - Monnaies de l'Empire Romain III, J.-B. Giard (Paris, 1998)
• Hendin - Guide to Biblical Coins, D. Hendin (New York, 2010)

RIC frequency ratings:
R3 = unique
R2 = very few examples known
R = rare
C = common
C2 = very common
C3 = extremely common

473 files, last one added on Sep 14, 2023
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Last additions - David Atherton's Gallery

RPC 2275 Vespasian [Agrippa II]Æ27, 15.26g
Caesarea Paneas mint, 85-86 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ ΟΥΕϹΠΑ ΚΑΙϹΑΡΙ ϹΕΒΑϹΤW; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: ΕΤΟΥ-ΚϚ ΒΑ / ΑΓΡΙ-ΠΠΑ; Tyche with kalathos standing, l., holding cornucopia and two corn-ears, in l. field, crescent
RPC 2275 (3 spec.). Hendin 1282 var. (without crescent).
Acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, April 2023.

Agrippa II sporadically struck coinage for the Flavian dynasty throughout his long reign. The coins circulated within his kingdom (Northern Palestine) and were likely coined at Caesaera Panesa, although the mint is not certain (Hendin places it at Caesarea Maritima). Confusingly, Agrippa's mint(s) employed two different dating eras for his coinage - one starting in 56 and the second in 60 or 61. This middle bronze struck for Vespasian is dated regnal year 26 by the second era and was produced posthumously(?) in either 85 or 86 AD under Domitian. RPC sums up the problem - 'The present chronology adopts the date of AD 60/1 for year 1 of the era used by Agrippa II, which solves a number of issues but gives the problem of having large number of issues of posthumous coinage for Vespasian and Titus.' There is no easy solution to the chronology puzzle and for now we have to assume this coin was struck posthumously under Domitian for Titus and lacking any reference to his divine status.

It must be noted that David Hendin does not adopt this chronology and instead dates the series from the first era, although he places the start in 49 rather than 56, based on the Kushnir-Stein chronology. If that is the case this coin would date to 74-75 AD.1 commentsDavid AthertonSep 27, 2023

RPC 1076 Domitian and DomitiaÆ23, 8.17g
Ephesus mint, Undated
Obv: ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑ ϹƐΒΑϹΤΗ; laureate head of Domitian, r., facing draped bust of Domitia, l.
Rev: ΝƐΙΚΗ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΥ ƐΦƐ; Nike advancing l., holding wreath and palm
RPC 1076 (11 spec.).
Acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, March 2023. Formerly in NGC holder #4285432-007, grade Ch F.

An undated bronze struck in Asia Minor at Ephesus, featuring the imperial couple together on the obverse. The Nike on the reverse probably refers to a specific Domitianic victory rather than simply being generic, although which victory it commemorates is unknown (RPC II p. 167).1 commentsDavid AthertonSep 25, 2023

RIC 0384 VespasianÆ Sestertius, 22.77g
Rome mint, 72-73 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: S C in field; Mars adv. r., with trophy and spear
RIC 384 (R). BMC 621. BNC 609.
Acquired from Petra Klein, July 2023.

Vespasian's bronze coinage output in 72-73 was quite meagre compared to the vast issues of 71. This rare Mars variety is a carry-over from those massive issues. Struck just prior to Vespasian holding the censorship.1 commentsDavid AthertonSep 14, 2023

RIC 1491/1489A Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian] Engraver's Error MuleAR Denarius, 3.41g
Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD
Obv: CAES AVG F DOMIT COS III; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., 'o' mint mark below neck
Rev: ION (sic) MAX TR P COS V; Winged caduceus
Cf. RIC 1491/1489A (for obv./rev.). BMC -. BNC -. RPC -. RSC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk, MBS 224, lot 129. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Numismatic Naumann, E50, 5 February 2017, lot 515.

An unknown eastern mint struck a spate of denarii in 76 which copied many contemporary types from Rome. Both RIC and RPC speculate it possibly could be Ephesus, citing a similar style with a previous Ephesian issue from 74 and the use of an annulet as a mint mark. The series is riddled with error coins, such as this rare Domitian Caesar engraver's error mule. Here we erroneously have 'ION' instead of 'PON' in the reverse legend. The ION (sic) MAX COS V is a muddled reverse incompatibly struck for Titus Caesar (he could not have been PON MAX). So, a misspelled erroneous reverse impossibly intended for Titus Caesar paired with a Domitian Caesar obverse. Three mistakes on one coin! Same obverse die as RIC plate coin 1491. Possibly the only known specimen.

Off-centred and struck on a large oblong flan, but graced with a stylish portrait.1 commentsDavid AthertonSep 11, 2023

RIC 392 Julia Titi [Titus]Æ Dupondius, 11.62g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: IVLIA IMP T AVG F AVGVSTA; Bust of Julia Titi, draped, r., hair piled high in front and coiled in small bun at back
Rev: CERES AVGVST; S C in field; Ceres stg. l., holding corn-ears and torch
RIC 392 (R). BMC 215. BNC 265.
Acquired from Prafectus Coins, July 2023.

Titus' daughter Julia Titi was granted the title Augusta during his reign sometime in 80 or 81. A small issue of denarii and dupondii were struck to commemorate the occasion, most of which are fairly scarce today. This dupondius featuring Ceres on the reverse is a most appropriate type for the new Augusta. RIC speculates the Ceres dupondius variety could possibly have been produced at the 'Thracian' mint, due to similar styles (p. 191).1 commentsDavid AthertonSep 06, 2023

RIC 1452 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.09g
Ephesus mint, 73 AD (late)
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS IIII TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: AVG and star in oak wreath
RIC 1452 (R3). BMC -. RSC -, RPC -. BNC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk, MBS 224, lot 115. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Lanz, eBay, 13 September 2012.

An exceedingly rare Ephesian COS IIII denarius. RIC cites just one specimen (from different dies) of this AVG in oak wreath variety from a private collection. This is undoubtedly the scarcest issue struck for Vespasian at Ephesus, likely due to production spanning just a few weeks or days at the end of 73 just prior to Vespasian becoming COS V on 1 January 74. 2 commentsDavid AthertonSep 04, 2023

RIC 1425 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.06g
Ephesus mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: PACI AVGVSTAE; Victory adv. r., with wreath and palm; at lower r., BY (obscured)
RIC 1425 (R3). BMC -. RSC -. RPC -. BNC -.
Ex Numismatic Naumann, Auction 130, 2 July 2023, lot 542.

An exceedingly rare variety from Vespasian's Ephesian Group 5 denarius issue. Only one specimen cited in RIC from a G&M sale and I know of one other (Ex Short coll., a double die match). Possibly the third known.3 commentsDavid AthertonAug 30, 2023

RIC 1479 Vespasian MuleAR Denarius, 3.06g
Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., 'o' mint mark below neck
Rev: PRINCEPS IVVENTVT; Spes, draped, advancing l., holding up flower in r. hand and with l. holding up her skirt.
RIC 1479 (R2). BMC 492. BNC -. RPC 1455 (2 spec.). RSC 393a.
Ex Harlan J Berk, MBS 224, lot 124. Ex Curtis Clay Collection.

A mysterious eastern mint struck a spate of denarii in 76 which copied many contemporary types from Rome, such as this common Rome mint Spes. Both RIC and RPC speculate the mint possibly could be Ephesus, citing a similar style with a previous Ephesian issue from 74 and the use of an annulet as a mint mark. The issue is extremely rare. This denarius is a mint mule erroneously combining a Domitian Caeasar Spes reverse with a Vespasian obverse. Mules, muddled titles (PRINCEPS IVVENTVT for Vespasian!), and various reverse types mixed between Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian are hallmarks of the series. These 'o' mint denarii are often confused with the issues from Rome, however, they can be distinguished by their superior style, large portraits, and an annulet (if visible) below the bust. Missing from the Paris collection.4 commentsDavid AthertonAug 27, 2023

RIC 675 DomitianAR Denarius, 3.17g
Rome mint, 88-89 AD (sixth issue)
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XXI COS XIIII CENS P P P; Minerva stg. r. on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to r., owl (M2)
RIC 675 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk, MBS 224, lot 198. Ex Curtis Clay Collection.

All the denarii from the sixth issue of 88-89 are quite scarce, perhaps struck for only a few weeks or days prior to 14 September 89, upon which Domitian became TRP VIIII. The first Pannonian War may account for the rapid succession of imperial acclamations awarded to Domitian during the summer of 89. This M2 type is missing from both the BM and Paris collections.David AthertonAug 23, 2023

RIC 006 Domitian MuleAR Denarius, 3.35g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P; Tripod with fillets; above, ravens, l. and r., and dolphin over wreath
RIC 6 (R3, this coin). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk, MBS 224, lot 139. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex CNG, Auction 70, 21 September 2005, lot 910.

A unique mint mule combining a first issue Domitian obverse with a reverse die used for Titus' last issue. This coin may help clear up a long debated mystery concerning the date of Titus' last denarius issue. Curtis Clay explains: 'Titus' gold and silver coinage is regarded as having ended before 1 July 80, over a year before he died, since his latest aurei and denarii all bear the title TR P IX, and his ninth tribunician year ended on 1 July 80. A fourteen-month gap in the precious metal coinage is strange in this era, however, and if we follow Mattingly in postulating that the attested fire in Rome in 80 destroyed the mint, so interrupting its production, it seems a remarkable coincidence that the mint was finally repaired, and ready to resume production using the same "pulvinar" types that it had been striking for Titus early in 80, precisely when Titus died and Domitian assumed the throne in Sept. 81! Judging from Domitian's earliest coinage, one would have thought that the mint must still have been producing pulvinar coins for Titus just before he died, despite the title TR P IX. That this was in fact the case seems to be proven by a mule which emerged in 2005, RIC Domitian 6, pl. 117, showing Domitian's earliest obv. legend as Augustus, IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG, coupled with a pulvinar reverse type of Titus, TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, Tripod with dolphin, wreath, and ravens above. This mule strongly suggests that pulvinar coins were being struck for Titus just before he died: it's difficult to believe that an old die of before 1 July 80 had somehow survived the supposed fire, and just happened to be available for use by Domitian fourteen months later! But why continued use of the outdated title? In Sept. 81 Titus was TR P XI, not IX!'

This unique specimen is the plate coin in RIC II.1. It is also discussed in RIC's introduction to Titus' coinage: '... a recently discovered mint mule combines a reverse of Titus' last denarius issue with an obverse of the first issue of Domitian's reign in late 81 (Dom no. 6). Mules usually combine dies in parallel or at least in closely contemporaneous use, which might imply here that the Titus TRP IX IMP XV COS VIII dies continued to be used after the assumption of TR P X, and perhaps even into 81. In sum, while the titulature of Titus is of the first half of 80, the sheer scale of the coinage produced for Titus COS VIII and Domitian COS VII, and the fact that following Domitian's accession the mint was very active in the period September to December 81, suggests 80-81 (p. 185)'. It must be noted that prior to this coin's discovery in 2005, Titus' last denarius issue had previously been dated by the major references to the first half of 80. Sometimes a coin can change history.

The numismatic and historical importance of the piece, combined with its aesthetic beauty, places it at or near the top of my list of all time favourite coins.7 commentsDavid AthertonAug 21, 2023

RIC 1541 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.20g
Antioch mint, 70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: AVG in oak wreath
RIC 1541 (R2). BMC 497. BNC 326. RPC 1915 (3 spec.). RSC 36a.
Ex Harlan J Berk, MBS 224, lot 133. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Rauch, E15, 16-18 June 2014, lot 161.

An exceedingly rare first issue Antiochene denarius. The AVG in wreath reverse was fleetingly struck in 70 alongside the equally rare Pax and Virtus denarius types. It copies a similar design contemporaneously issued from Ephesus. My example shares an obverse die with the Oxford specimen and a seated Pax type from the same issue. Three other specimens of the type are known, all of which are in major collections - mine is the only one I am aware of in private hands.1 commentsDavid AthertonAug 16, 2023

RIC 0959A Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian] MuleAR Denarius, 3.18g
Rome mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev: COS VI in exergue; Oxen, two, yoked l.
RIC 959A, BMC -. BNC -. RSC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk, MBS 224, lot 101. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex CNG, E105, 5 January 2005, lot 156.

A unique mint mule combining an obverse of Domitian Caesar with a reverse intended for Titus Caesar. The yoked oxen type was struck exclusively for Vespasian and Titus Caesar in 77-78. This is the only known example of a mule pairing a Domitian Caesar obverse with a reverse intended for either Vespasian or Titus Caesar on the denarii. It has been assigned catalogue number RIC 959A in the RIC II.1 Addenda & Corrigenda.4 commentsDavid AthertonAug 14, 2023

Random files - David Atherton's Gallery

RIC 0801 VespasianAR Quinarius, 1.61g
Rome mint, 75(?) AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory std. l., with wreath and palm
RIC 801 (R2). BMC 284. RSC 616a. BNC -.
Acquired from Aegean Numismatics, November 2016.

An undated quinarius, part of a large issue of quinarii most likely struck in 75. Keeping with tradition, Vespasian employed two Victory types (advancing and seated) for the reverses. They are all quite rare. Those with AVGVSTI are rarer than those with AVGVST.

Well centred and in fine metal.6 commentsDavid Atherton

RIC 144c DomitianAR Denarius, 3.53g
Rome mint, 82-83 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IVPPITER CONSERVATOR; Eagle stg. front on thunderbolt, wings outspread flat, head l.
RIC 144c (R). BMC 52 var. (eagle's wings hunched). RSC 320 var. (same). BNC 53 var. (same).
Acquired from Kölner, June 2021. Ex Obolos 19, 8 May 2021, lot 835, Ex Brett Telford Collection. Ex CNG E302, 8 May 2013, lot 359.

In 82 AD Domitian banished his a rationibus Tiberius Julius and then proceeded to increase the fineness of both the silver and gold coins to pre-Neronian standards. The portraits also became more refined and stylish. This denarius from the first post reform issue features a reverse which possibly commemorates Domitian's escape from Vitellian forces after hiding in the Temple of Jupiter during the last days of the Civil War of 69 AD. There are three variants of this reverse type with the eagle's wings either: a. upright, b. hunched, or c. flat. This type c. is extremely rare - out of 76 specimens in the asearch.com database only 6 feature 'flat' wings, the remainder are the common 'hunched' variant. Type a. is only known on the aureus.2 commentsDavid Atherton

RIC 0529A Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]AR Denarius, 3.48g
Rome mint, 73 AD
Obv: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT CENS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: SALVS AVG; Salus std., l., with patera
RIC 529A (R3). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 404, 2 November 2011, lot 2570.

This Titus as Caesar denarius with Salus on the reverse coupled with this obverse legend is unlisted in all the major references, including the new RIC II. The coin comes from a series minted in 73 AD in which the Salus type was known for Vespasian but unknown for Titus until the present denarius surfaced. Ian Carradice has given this new type the number 529A (under Vespasian) in the RIC II Addenda. Also, this coin is an obverse die match with the RIC V531 plate coin.

What to my eyes makes this COTD worthy is not the rarity but the bold portrait which was described by the eminent Flavian collector Harry Sneh as 'striking'. I tend to agree. The reverse is weakly struck (worn die?) but well centered.

Struck on a huge flan and weighing 3.48g. This coin is a true beauty in hand.
6 commentsDavid Atherton