Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 119 with Jesús Vico S.A. 6 Oct 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Domitian augustus, 81 – 96
Aureus 84, AV 7.77 g. IMP CAES DOMI – TIANVS AVG GERMANIC Laureate and draped bust l. Rev. P M TR POT III – IMP V COS X P P Helmeted and draped bust of Minerva r. C –. BMC 45. RIC 195. CBN –, cf. 45. Calicó 906 (this reverse die).
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, possibly the finest specimen in private
hands. Two portraits of enchanting beauty, the work of a talented master engraver.
Struck on a very broad flan, two minor edge marks,
otherwise good extremely fine
Privately purchased from Jesus Vico in 1991. This coin is sold with an export licence issued by the government of Spain.
Minerva, the goddess of war, was the patron of Domitian. He had a shrine for her in the palace, dedicated at least two temples to her in Rome and, beginning in 83, he used her image on what would seem to be the majority of his coins. The emperor declared himself to be the son of Minerva, and the relationship between them is a recurring theme of Martials epigrams. The poet Statius, who was a firsthand observer in the reign of Domitian, even describes the emperor as wearing a toga that Minerva had woven for him. His patronage of Minerva can be understood in the context of the Flavian dynasty, whose members took pride in their success in war: Vespasian had emerged triumphant in the Civil War of A.D. 68-69, Titus was victorious against the Jews, and Domitian – whose resentment and inferiority complex made him eager to exceed his father and brother – launched campaigns against Germans, Dacians, Sarmatians and other foes. In all he accepted twenty-three Imperial salutations – more than Augustus himself, and he staged at least two triumphal processions. On most of Domitians coins Minerva is shown standing in what Carson identifies as four distinct varieties. Sometimes she holds only a spear, or a spear and thunderbolt, but more commonly she holds both a shield and a spear. Other times she rests a foot on a ships prow and is accompanied by an owl. In this case we have a more personalized approach. It need not surprise us that her features are modelled on Domitians, though we may describe Minervas as Classicised and Domitians as realistic. Identifying the differences is a worthwhile exercise: Minervas chin is rounded, her mouth softly modelled, and there is no natural contour to her profile at the point where the forehead meets the bridge of the nose.
Aureus 84, AV 7.77 g. IMP CAES DOMI – TIANVS AVG GERMANIC Laureate and draped bust l. Rev. P M TR POT III – IMP V COS X P P Helmeted and draped bust of Minerva r. C –. BMC 45. RIC 195. CBN –, cf. 45. Calicó 906 (this reverse die).
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, possibly the finest specimen in private
hands. Two portraits of enchanting beauty, the work of a talented master engraver.
Struck on a very broad flan, two minor edge marks,
otherwise good extremely fine
Privately purchased from Jesus Vico in 1991. This coin is sold with an export licence issued by the government of Spain.
Minerva, the goddess of war, was the patron of Domitian. He had a shrine for her in the palace, dedicated at least two temples to her in Rome and, beginning in 83, he used her image on what would seem to be the majority of his coins. The emperor declared himself to be the son of Minerva, and the relationship between them is a recurring theme of Martials epigrams. The poet Statius, who was a firsthand observer in the reign of Domitian, even describes the emperor as wearing a toga that Minerva had woven for him. His patronage of Minerva can be understood in the context of the Flavian dynasty, whose members took pride in their success in war: Vespasian had emerged triumphant in the Civil War of A.D. 68-69, Titus was victorious against the Jews, and Domitian – whose resentment and inferiority complex made him eager to exceed his father and brother – launched campaigns against Germans, Dacians, Sarmatians and other foes. In all he accepted twenty-three Imperial salutations – more than Augustus himself, and he staged at least two triumphal processions. On most of Domitians coins Minerva is shown standing in what Carson identifies as four distinct varieties. Sometimes she holds only a spear, or a spear and thunderbolt, but more commonly she holds both a shield and a spear. Other times she rests a foot on a ships prow and is accompanied by an owl. In this case we have a more personalized approach. It need not surprise us that her features are modelled on Domitians, though we may describe Minervas as Classicised and Domitians as realistic. Identifying the differences is a worthwhile exercise: Minervas chin is rounded, her mouth softly modelled, and there is no natural contour to her profile at the point where the forehead meets the bridge of the nose.