2 Secular Games denarii

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Orfew, Feb 17, 2020.

  1. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    So as you must have seen I bought that rare left facing bust secular games denarius a few weeks ago. These new additions are nowhere near as rare but they are interesting so I bought them.

    The first one has some nice honest wear. The second one is overall in better condition, but there is a small chip out of the edge. (I will not make a guess as to when this happened until I get the coin in hand). I love the second portrait If you want a great portrait of Domitian look for coins struck between 84 and 88 CE. I have some incredible portraits from these years. The engravers were top notch.

    Please post your secular games coins. (They do not have to be of Domitian)

    Domitian AR Denarius Struck 88 CE (Third Issue)
    (18.71mm 3.14 grams)
    Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII, laureate head right
    Rev: COS XIIII - LVD SAEC FEC, Herald walking left, wearing feathered cap, holding wand and shield
    (18.71mm 3.14 grams)
    RIC II 596 Rome
    Ex FLAN Numismatics with tag. Ex Madroosi collection
    Purchased from Marc Breitsprecher Feb 17, 2020


    Screen Shot 2020-02-17 at 12.17.59 PM.png


    Domitian AR Denarius Struck 88 CE (Third Issue)
    (20 mm, 2.96 g)
    Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII, laureate head right
    Rev: COS XIIII - LVD SAEC FEC, Herald walking left, COS XIII across field Column inscribed LVD SAEC FEC, all within Laurel wreath.
    RIC 604
    EX: CGB France Purchased February 17, 2020

    Domit sec games cgb.jpg
     
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  3. rg3

    rg3 Well-Known Member

    That is a nice pair. Here are mine (both CNG, the former ex-Cederlind):
    3870434.jpg 4130437 (1).jpg
    Waiting on the right RIC II 601 with herald and cippus to pick up. No rush. Seems a complete (?) set of secular denarii over the ages gets pricey with certain rarities. To share something different, picked up this Ant Pius RIC III 94 a while back. Probably predates his games (along with celeb of 900 year anniversary) by several years, but perhaps reverse chosen in anticipation:
    4100279 (1).jpg
     
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  4. Parthicus Maximus

    Parthicus Maximus Well-Known Member

    Nice examples Andrew! I also like these types and had both in my watchlist. It is nice to see that they have ended up in good hands.

    If you continue like this you can collect all the Ludi Saeculares silver from Domitian. You only need the denarius with column and herald (Ric 601) and the quinarius with herald (Ric 599).
     
  5. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Beautiful coins an interesting reverse type! I suspect the same hand engraved the portraits. I'll have to be on the lookout for other examples of these.
     
  6. Parthicus Maximus

    Parthicus Maximus Well-Known Member

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  7. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

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  8. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Great pick-ups Andrew!

    I thought your RIC 596 obverse looked familiar.

    D601.jpg Domitian
    AR Denarius, 3.27g
    Rome mint, 88 AD
    Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
    Rev: COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC inscribed on column; to r., incense burner, further r., Herald stg. l., with wand and shield
    RIC 601 (C). BMC 135. RSC 73. BNC 124.
    Acquired from Beast Coins, January 2010.

    It's very unusual to have an obverse die match with two different reverse types within Domitian's denarius issues.
     
  9. Gary R. Wilson

    Gary R. Wilson ODERINT, DUM METUANT — CALIGULA

    One of my favorite coins:

    Domitian (81-96). Æ As (27mm, 9.67g, 6h). Secular Games issue. Rome, AD 88.jpg

    Domitian (Augustus)
    Coin: Bronze AS
    IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII CENS PER P P - Laureate head right
    COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC - Domitian standing left, sacrificing from patera over garlanded altar, two attendants standing right, playing lyre and pan-pipes before him, hexastyle temple in background, with wreath in pediment.
    Exergue: SC


    Mint: Rome (88 AD)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 9.67g / 27mm / 6h
    References:
    RIC II 623
    Sear'88 #910
    Cohen 85
    Provenances:
    London Ancient Coins (LAC)
    Acquisition/Sale: London Ancient Coins (LAC) Internet LAC Price List 2 #445 $0.00 07/19
    Notes: Jul 20, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection

    Secular Games of 88 AD issue.
     
  10. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    That obverse die match is very cool David! Thanks for posting it.
     
  11. Andrew McMenamin

    Andrew McMenamin Nerva You Mind

    Super nice coin!
     
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  12. Gary R. Wilson

    Gary R. Wilson ODERINT, DUM METUANT — CALIGULA

    Thanks Andrew.
     
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  13. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Here is an updated photo. I received the coin today.

    Domitian ric 596 new.jpg
     
  14. Spargrodan

    Spargrodan Well-Known Member

    Nice I have been looking at that second one CGB coin for quite a while and was thinking of buying it, great catch!
     
  15. Andrew McMenamin

    Andrew McMenamin Nerva You Mind

    The Third Issue Domitian is particularly nice - I really like that portrait.
     
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  16. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Here is the second one. It arrived yesterday. I love the portrait on this one as well. It has a nice dark tone.

    Domitian ric 604.jpg
     
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