T. Didius AR Denarius. Rome, 113-112 BC. Helmeted head of Roma right, XVI monogram below, monogram of ROMA behind / Two soldiers fighting, one attacking with a whip, the other defending with a sword, T. DEIDI in exergue. Didia 2; Crawford 294/1. 3.75g, 18mm, 4h.
Near Very Fine.
From the Eucharius Collection.
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.