Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 121 6-8 Oct 2022
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Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. AV Aureus (19mm, 6.95 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 204. SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right / P P above, COS III in exergue, view of building, in the shape of a long loop, open on the left side: in front, left to right, door, three arches on three arches, central door, four arches on four arches, door; in back door on left; the top is ornamented with knobs on pegs (heads?) from back left round to end of front, right; inside, runners, wrestlers, standing figures, and audience members. RIC IV 260; BMCRE 319; Calicó 2518; Biaggi 1097. Two ancient holes above portrait, minor deposits, slightly wavy flan. Fine. The sole Roman issue to depict this structure. Very rare.
From the Conti Collection. Ex Gemini IX (9 January 2012), lot 501; Berk BBS 173 (15 March 2011), lot 51 .
This fascinating architectural type has been the subject of much debate. It has variously been identified as the Theater of Pompey (Lanciani), the Circus Maximus (RIC, BMCRE), and the Stadium of Domitian (Castagnoli, Hill, Damsky, Tameanko, Sondermann, Elkins). As the coin depicts athletic contests occurring, the identification of the building as a theater rather than a stadium can be dismissed, and the architectural elements and noticeable lack of an obelisk and spina do not conform with other numismatic representations of the Circus Maximus.
The identification of the Stadium of Domitian, also known as the Circus Agonalis, has gained favor in recent years. Situated in the Campus Martius, the Stadium followed the typical layout of a circus, but its smaller size (it could perhaps accommodate 15,000-20,000 spectators) made it suitable for a variety of athletic competitions. Modern visitors to Rome can get a feel of the scale of the Stadium by visiting the Piazza Navona (best known as the home of Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers), which follows the shape of the stadium's floor plan.
From the Conti Collection. Ex Gemini IX (9 January 2012), lot 501; Berk BBS 173 (15 March 2011), lot 51 .
This fascinating architectural type has been the subject of much debate. It has variously been identified as the Theater of Pompey (Lanciani), the Circus Maximus (RIC, BMCRE), and the Stadium of Domitian (Castagnoli, Hill, Damsky, Tameanko, Sondermann, Elkins). As the coin depicts athletic contests occurring, the identification of the building as a theater rather than a stadium can be dismissed, and the architectural elements and noticeable lack of an obelisk and spina do not conform with other numismatic representations of the Circus Maximus.
The identification of the Stadium of Domitian, also known as the Circus Agonalis, has gained favor in recent years. Situated in the Campus Martius, the Stadium followed the typical layout of a circus, but its smaller size (it could perhaps accommodate 15,000-20,000 spectators) made it suitable for a variety of athletic competitions. Modern visitors to Rome can get a feel of the scale of the Stadium by visiting the Piazza Navona (best known as the home of Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers), which follows the shape of the stadium's floor plan.