Last week was I finally able to add a long desired type to my collection. Domitian 81-96 AR Denarius Struck 88-89 AD IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM P M TR P VIII laureate head right. COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC herald with feather in cap walking left, holding round shield and wand. 3,28g/18,5mm Ric 596 (C2) Ex Ebay In 88 Domitian held the Secular games also called Ludi Saeculares. These games were held once a century, probably every 110 years. According to historiography, the games were already held during the republic, but the fact is that we know almost nothing there. The idea of the centenary was to pass from one era to another. Before Domitian, the games were held by Augustus and Claudius. Augustus had held the games in 17 BC and Claudius in 47 AD. The fact was that the games were held for quite different reasons. August held them to celebrate the entering of the Augustan era, while Claudius held them because of Rome's 800th anniversary. Domitian conformed his Ludi Saeculares to that of Augustus. This can be seen in the influence of the Augustinian types on his Ludi Saeculares coins. However, the fact was that in AD 88 it was only 105 years after the Ludi Saeculares of Augustus, but apparently that was not so important. On the reverse of this coin is a figure that is often identified as a herald. However, the question is whether this is so. Some numismatists identify the figure as a Ludio. An indication of this is that these ludiones are similar in terms of attributes and clothing to ancient descriptions of Ludiones. These Ludiones led the processions, sang hymns and danced. Finally, this is a wish coin for me for two reasons. The type has a non-Minerva reverse which is unusual for Domitian's denarii. Second, it also has an unusual legend. Which in this form only appears on this type in denarii (both with normal right bust and with the very rare left bust) In short, this type is very popular among Flavian / Domitian collectors. Although it is not very rare, it is still not so easy to find one in good condition for a good price Please show your Secular games coins!
