RIC 625 Domitian

Æ As, 9.80g
Rome mint, 88-89 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.