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January Signature Sale 3089 21-22 Jan 2021
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Ancients
Caracalla (AD 198-217). AE proto-contorniate sestertius (32mm, 28.98 gm, 12h). Choice VF. Rome, AD 213. M AVREL ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate, cuirassed bust of Caracalla right, seen from behind / P M TR P XVI•IMP II / COS IIII P P / S C, view of the Circus Maximus, the exterior showing a colonnaded arcade of thirteen arches, with arch indicating gateway on right, similar arch with quadriga higher behind on right, another arch surmounted by quadriga facing right at left; the interior sides of the Circus not visible, the back is indicated by a sweep of colonnades and the pulvinar to the upper left, the center contains the great obelisk, flanked metae at either end of the spina with arches and statue between, being approached by two racing quadrigas existing the starting gates at right. RIC IV.I 500b. BMC 251. Hill, Monuments 73. Cohen 236. Expertly hammered in antiquity, the rims measuring 7mm high. Beautiful jade green patina. One of the most popular reverse types of the Severan Era.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 114 (6 May 2019), lot 1616
Originally a pastoral valley between Rome's Aventine and Palatine Hills, the Circus Maximus became a racetrack and staging ground for public spectacles soon after Rome's founding, circa 753 BC. A long oval track evolved, wide enough to accommodate four quadrigas running abreast. By the third century BC the central spina was in place, a set of starting gates had been added and wooden bleachers were erected partially around its 4,400-foot circuit. Julius Caesar rebuilt the lower tiers in stone and added an upper deck in wood. Pliny claimed the Circus could now accommodate 250,000 spectator,s but modern estimates top out at 150,000. At great expense, Augustus brought a towering Egyptian obelisk from Hieropolis and placed it at the center of the spina; he also added a high dais called a pulvinar from where the Imperial family could view the proceedings. A veritable city grew up around the Circus, including food stalls, shops, stables and housing; however the ramshackle wooden bleachers continued to represent a fire hazard until Trajan rebuilt the whole structure in stone, circa AD 105-110.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-caracalla-ad-198-217-ae-proto-contorniate-sestertius-32mm-2898-gm-12h-choice-vf/a/3089-32210.s?type=CoinArchives3089
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 3000-5000 USD
Caracalla (AD 198-217). AE proto-contorniate sestertius (32mm, 28.98 gm, 12h). Choice VF. Rome, AD 213. M AVREL ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate, cuirassed bust of Caracalla right, seen from behind / P M TR P XVI•IMP II / COS IIII P P / S C, view of the Circus Maximus, the exterior showing a colonnaded arcade of thirteen arches, with arch indicating gateway on right, similar arch with quadriga higher behind on right, another arch surmounted by quadriga facing right at left; the interior sides of the Circus not visible, the back is indicated by a sweep of colonnades and the pulvinar to the upper left, the center contains the great obelisk, flanked metae at either end of the spina with arches and statue between, being approached by two racing quadrigas existing the starting gates at right. RIC IV.I 500b. BMC 251. Hill, Monuments 73. Cohen 236. Expertly hammered in antiquity, the rims measuring 7mm high. Beautiful jade green patina. One of the most popular reverse types of the Severan Era.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 114 (6 May 2019), lot 1616
Originally a pastoral valley between Rome's Aventine and Palatine Hills, the Circus Maximus became a racetrack and staging ground for public spectacles soon after Rome's founding, circa 753 BC. A long oval track evolved, wide enough to accommodate four quadrigas running abreast. By the third century BC the central spina was in place, a set of starting gates had been added and wooden bleachers were erected partially around its 4,400-foot circuit. Julius Caesar rebuilt the lower tiers in stone and added an upper deck in wood. Pliny claimed the Circus could now accommodate 250,000 spectator,s but modern estimates top out at 150,000. At great expense, Augustus brought a towering Egyptian obelisk from Hieropolis and placed it at the center of the spina; he also added a high dais called a pulvinar from where the Imperial family could view the proceedings. A veritable city grew up around the Circus, including food stalls, shops, stables and housing; however the ramshackle wooden bleachers continued to represent a fire hazard until Trajan rebuilt the whole structure in stone, circa AD 105-110.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-caracalla-ad-198-217-ae-proto-contorniate-sestertius-32mm-2898-gm-12h-choice-vf/a/3089-32210.s?type=CoinArchives3089
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 3000-5000 USD