Nomos 5

Domitian. AD 81-96. Denarius (Silver, 3.48 g), Rome, September - December, 88. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. COS XIIII separated by a cippus inscribed with LVD/SAEC/FEC; all within a laurel wreath tied at the bottom and closed at the top with a medallion. BMC 137. BN 126. Cohen 70. RIC 604. An attractive piece, in honor of the Secular Games. Extremely fine.

The Secular games, which were meant to take place either every 100 or 110 years began under the Republic no later than 249 BC. However, the tradition was only loosely kept up and the games which should have occurred in c. 49 BC did not take place. Augustus celebrated games in 17 BC; Claudius had some in 44, in honor of the 800th anniversary of Rome; then came Domitian’s games in 88, which may be related to games that were planned but not held in 22 BC. In any case, Domitian was very proud of his games and produced a very interesting coinage in all metals to commemorate them.