T. Didius AR Denarius. Rome, 113-112 BC. Helmeted head of Roma to right; monogram of ROMA behind, mark of value below / Two gladiators fighting, each holding shield, one attacking to right with flail, the other defending to left with sword; T•DEIDI in exergue. Crawford 294/1; BMCRR Italy 530; RSC Didia 2. 3.94g, 20mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Artemide Aste s.r.l. (San Marino).

Babelon suggests that the reverse type refers to the moneyer's ancestor T. Didius, who was sent to Sicily in 138 BC to quash a slave result that was ultimately the precursor to the first of the three Servile Wars. Crawford disagrees, suggesting that the reverse depicts a scene one would expect to witness at the games T. Didius promised to put on during his time as aedile, making this issue an example of electoral propaganda.