Another PONT denarius for Domitian

Domitian; 81-96 AD, Rome, 81 AD, Denarius, 3.29g. RIC-65 (R2).

Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PONT Head laureate r.

Rev:: TR P COS VII - DES VIII P P Throne, draped; above, semicircular frame decorated with three crescents.

RIC-65 (R2),

Ex: Windsor Antiques April 2001

Ex Curtis L. Clay Collection.

Ex Harlan Berk Bid or Buy sale #224 Lot # 162

While this is not the most attractive coin, it does have a few other things going for it. First, it is another PONT denarius for Domitian. I find these coins interesting and am therefore always looking to add them. I do think the portrait is quite interesting. The youthful portraits on Domitian's first-year denarii come in a few different styles all within the same year!

This is a group 4 denarius. The 4 groups of Domitian denarii issued in 81 CE are not necessarily listed in chronological order in RIC. Having said that, the RIC authors contend that group 4 was indeed the last group of denarii struck in 81 CE. This is because the mopst common obverse legend used by the 4 groups is IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PM, and this legend is used on Domitian's denarii after 81 CE. The obverse legend on this coin is not common. IMP CEAS DOMITIANVS AVG PONT, is only known on 16 Domitian denarii. The common legend as mentioned above is known on 27 denarii within the 4 groups of 81 CE alone! The legend on this coin is , however, not the rarest obverse legend within the 4 groups.

The reverse image of this coin is interesting because there are 2 reverses that use the draped seat. However, while this coin uses the same type as Domitian's brother Titus (decorated with crescents), the other type (decorated with corn ears) was not used by Titus. This is an example of where Domitian's coins vary somewhat from the coins of Titus. Domitian copied the reverese of Titus on his year one denarii. However, if one looks cloesly enough it is possible to see cases of where Domitian's approach to his coinage varies from that of his brother.

I also very much like the fact that this is another Curtis Clay coin. He collected some very interesting rarities, and this is certainly one of those.