(sequel to my Geta denarius thread)- Poll: which Domitian coin would you choose?

lordmarcovan

I've already bought both, but which should I include in my set?

The denarius was more expensive and is higher grade, and there's something about ancient silver.

But... overall, Domitian's bronze is a bit more scarce than his silver, I believe. And this one has character. And it was actually struck during his reign, while the denarius was struck earlier, under Vespasian.

To be honest, I would be tempted to keep both, but I only need one Domitian for my emperor set.

Which should it be?

I lean towards the denarius, but if the as were just a little bit sharper, it would likely be my type coin.





<< <i>DOMITIAN AE as. SALUTI AUGUSTI, large altar with double doors. Scarce!

DOMITIAN AE as. Struck 84 AD. IMP CASES DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS X, laureate bust right, aegis on shoulder. Reverse - SALVTI AVGVSTI, SC in fields. Altar with double doors & bull's head door knockers. RIC 251. 26mm, 9.2g. $58 >>







<< <i>DOMITIAN AR silver denarius. Prince of the Youth, Spes with flower. Attractive portrait of young Domitian

DOMITIAN, as Caesar, AR silver denarius. Struck 74AD, under Vespasian. CAES AVG F DOMIT COS III, laureate head right / PRINCEPS IVVENTVT, Spes standing left with flower & raising skirt. RSC 375. Struck on an excellent broad flan (19mm), with attractive surfaces. An extremely artistic, well rendered portrait of Domitian as a young man. Heavy-ish 3.5g. $66 >>

hockeyfan9

I think they are both interesting and the fact that the AS was struck during his reign is a great arguement, however if I were choosing I like the denarius better. It has more detail.

Sapyx

If you're only interested in "Emperors" and that's the limit of your interest in ancient Roman, I'd pick the bronze, for two reasons:

1. The silver denarius was struck while he was a mere Caesar - it's not technically an "Imperial" coin, while the bronze one is.

2. In my "emperors set", I'm after the clearest reading of the name - and you can read more of the name on the bronze than on the silver. Of course, if you're more interested in the portraiture rather than the legends, the denarius is the one to pick.

lordmarcovan

I don't mind "as Caesar" issues, or provincial coins, either, at this stage.



<< <i>In my "emperors set", I'm after the clearest reading of the name - and you can read more of the name on the bronze than on the silver. Of course, if you're more interested in the portraiture rather than the legends, the denarius is the one to pick. >>

This is an important point. The portrait AND the name are my two biggest criteria. I think portrait a little more than name, but the criterion you just mentioned is another that has me leaning toward the denarius in this case.

ozzysdad47

I like the Silver Denarius..........

rec78

I like them both. Keep one for your silver set and one for your copper set.

Automan

I'll echo rec78. An emperor set is much nicer if all coins are the same metal!

Automan

Rickc300

I voted you should keep the Denarius, but on second thought... You should keep the Bronze and send me the Denarius~

spoon

<< <i>2. In my "emperors set", I'm after the clearest reading of the name - and you can read more of the name on the bronze than on the silver. Of course, if you're more interested in the portraiture rather than the legends, the denarius is the one to pick. >>

That's always been my thinking on Romans too. I want both as clear a legend as possible and decent details on the design (and on later bronzes, I usually like the desert patina too). That's why I still don't have my Constantinopolis commem... I know they're out there and affordable, but they always pop up when I can't afford coins!

lordmarcovan

<< <i>I'll echo rec78. An emperor set is much nicer if all coins are the same metal! >>

This is practically impossible, if you're covering the full spectrum of the empire. Initially, I was a big fan of ancient silver (and still am), but the bigger bronzes caught my enthusiasm early on, and I am now enjoying the variety.

Automan

<< <i>This is practically impossible, if you're covering the full spectrum of the empire. Initially, I was a big fan of ancient silver (and still am), but the bigger bronzes caught my enthusiasm early on, and I am now enjoying the variety. >>



Indeed, if you are aiming for a full run from Augustus (or even including the imperators?) to Zeno, that's not just expensive, it's practically undoable.

If you're focusing on 1st-2nd-3rd Centuries, though, it should be possible (excluding some of the odder characters who weren't really Roman emperors), if a tad expensive.

Automan