Obolos 2

Domitian, 81-96. Quinarius (Silver, 14mm, 1.54 g 6), Rome, September-December 88. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC Herald, wearing feathered cap, advancing left, holding round shield decorated with a bust of Minerva in his left hand and a wand in his right. BMC 134. BN 122. Cohen 78. King 1. RIC 118. RIC2 599. A historically fascinating and nicely toned example. Some light scratches under toning, otherwise, very fine.

From the GH Collection, privately purchased in February 1984.

This coin commemorates the Secular Games held in 88. The Ludi Saeculares included religious celebrations, involving sacrifices and thetrical performances. They were held in Rome for three days and nights to mark the end of a 100 or 110 years long saeculum and the beginning of another. Domitian’s Secular Games followed those from Augustus, which were said to have been in 22 BC (Suetonius, Domitian 4.3, with Jones and Milns, p. 130).