Domitianus 81-96AD Coin AS RIC 383. 29mm 10.33 gram . Mint: Struck in Rome, A.D. 88. Obverse: IMP. CAES. DOMIT. AVG. GERM. P. M. TR. P. VIII CENS. PER. P. P; Radiate bust of Domitian right . Reverse: COS. XIIII LVD. SAEC. FEC; Domitian standing left, sacrificing with patera over lighted and garlanded altar to left; to far left, Tiber reclining right, holding cornucopia; between, lyre and flute players standing right; in background, hexastyle Note: Comments: Commemorates the Secular Games of .D. 88. The Secular Games, Ludi Saeculares, were religious ceremonies that took place in Rome every 100 or 110 years; they had a mythological origin but were actually held in 249 and 140 BC, after which they fell into abeyance until Augustus revived them in 17 BC. They involved sacrifices to a number of different gods and goddesses, after which there were theatrical performances and some athletic events. Domitian’s celebrations were commemorated on an extensive series of coins in all metals, with those in orichalcum and copper being the most elaborate. The legend LVDi SAECulares FECit is used throughout, and conveys the emperor as bringing the celebration of the games to the city. In the present example we see Domitian sacrificing in the presence of the Tiber, with two attendants adding a musical accompaniment.
both great, the color on the first is really cool. neat that they are a bit different as well, the second missing the sitting person and having a slightly different building in the background.
Good looking coins. Also prefer the first one, its got an extra person in there, the more the merrier.
Wow, ro1974 => both of those babies are absolutely gorgeous! (congrats on two great new additions) ... sadly, I only have one measly Domitian example (a denarius) ... Domitian AR Denarius 88 AD Domitian & Minerva ... ummm, but doubtful that my example is associated with the Secular Games (again, great coins => very cool)
