★ Ludi Saeculares ★

DOMITIAN (81-96). Denarius. Rome. Saecular Games issue.

Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII.
Laureate head right.
Rev: Herald advancing left, wearing feathered cap and holding wand and shield; to left, cippus inscribed COS / XIIII / LVD / SAEC / FEC in five lines; candelabrum between them.

RIC² 601.

Ludi Saeculares (Secular Games) were part of an important religious ceremony derived from an older one called 'Ludi Tarentini'. This ceremony included animal sacrifices and theatrical performances, which ran for three days and nights. They were held at the end of a saeculum (century) also determining the beginning of the next century. A saeculum was considered to last between 100 and 110 years. Ascertained celebrations during the Republican period took place in 249 and 140 BC. Then they were held in AD 22, wanted by Augustus, and in AD 88 by Domitian, as evidenced by this denarius.

Condition: Near very fine.

Weight: 3.39 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.