My latest addition is interesting, cheap, and not very common - what more could you ask for? Domitian Æ As, 9.80g Rome mint, 88 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII CENS PER P P; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC; S C in exergue; Domitian stg. l., sacrificing over altar; to l., victimarius slaying bull, whose head is held by a kneeling figure, flute player and lyre player stg. r.; in background, six-column temple RIC 625 (C). BMC 438. BNC 469. Acquired from eBay, July 2021. In October 88 AD Domitian held the Secular Games, a festival featuring theatrical performances and circus games accompanied by six various daytime and nighttime religious ceremonies. The games marked the transition from one era (saeculum) to another and were supposedly held once every 110 years, or the maximum span of a human lifetime, making them a 'once in a lifetime' event. Domitian conducted his games on the Augustan calculation, rejecting the formula for the Claudian games held in 47 AD. The festival was important enough to interrupt the normal striking of reverse types on the coinage and for the mint to produce a new unique issue commemorating the event both in precious metal and bronze. The precious metal designs tended to be symbolic while the bronze were more narrative in nature, focusing on the various religious sacrifices that were at the heart of the games. Sacrificial ceremonies opened the games and were conducted throughout the event, five of which are depicted on the bronze coinage. These types often show Domitian's ceremonial leading role. The reverse on this as features the sacrifice of a bovine to Jupiter, possibly in front of the the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, with Domitian sacrificing over an altar accompanied by two musicians. The main message of the design is to show the Roman people that Domitian provided and responsibly held the Secular Games. The fact these types were struck in fairly large quantities hints they were an important piece of Domitianic propaganda. Despite the heavy wear, I'm quite pleased with the piece. It's not often you come across such a scene on a coin! Feel free to share your coins connected to religious ceremonies.
I have a related, very worn, example. It came from a group lot of Domitian bronzes some years ago. The reverse is almost flat (apart from the gouges and scrapes!) but the design is still visible. Brass Dupondius Obv.: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII DENS PERP P P - Radiate head right Rev.: COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC - Domitian standing left, sacrificing over altar; to left, River god reclining right, lyre player and flute player standing right; in background, double temple showing nine columns Exergue: Mint: Rome (88 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 10.52g / 28mm / 6h References: RIC 621 BMC 432-433 Acquisition: CGB Online Store 9-Oct-2013 ATB, Aidan.
Nice one David, in my opinion probably one of Domitian's most interesting issues. I have one from the series. Domitian, 81-96. As (Copper, 29 mm, 11.21 g,), Rome, 14 September-31 December 88. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII CENS PER P P Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC / S C Domitian standing front, head to left, sacrificing out of patera over altar; to left, harpist and flute-player standing right; in the background, hexastyle temple, eagle in pediment. BMC 434. Cohen 85. RIC 623.
