CNG 84, Lot: 1001. Estimate $500. Sold for $550. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 21.85 g, 6h). Secular Games issue. Rome mint. Struck AD 88. Laureate head right / COS XIIII [LVD] SAEC, Domitian seated left on platform inscribed SVF P D, extending hand to citizen standing right, extending hand to Domitian; between them, child standing right, raising hands; temple in background. RIC II 609. Near VF, light green and brown patina, minor roughness.

From the John Bitner Collection.

The function performed by the emperor as the quindecemvir sacris faciundis is displayed on this type, as Domitian is distributing perfumes to the public (SVFfimenta Populo Data) for the purpose of lustration---an event leading up to the celebration of the Saecular Games.