Sestertius of Trajan, Emperor of Rome from Rome Mint: Rome
Ruler: Trajan, Emperor of Rome, A.D. 53–117, ruled 98–117

103–11

Numismatics

On view, 1st floor, Numismatics


Trajan was fond of construction projects; he was said to have restored old monuments and to have added his name to them, as if he were their originator. In 103 he restored and expanded the grandstand of the Circus Maximus. This magnificent sestertius is one of the finest examples of the issue and shows precise details: the Arch of Titus looks down from the upper left, quadrigae (four-horse chariots) surmount the gates at either end of the grandstand, and metae (turning posts) are seen at either end of the racecourse, which is being run by a galloping figure. The large, gabled structure surmounted by the bust of Sol reflects his status as the major god honored here.

Medium

Orichalcum

Dimensions

26.26 g, 6:00, 33 mm

Credit Line

Gift of Ben Lee Damsky

Accession Number

2018.65.1

Geography

Made in Rome, Italy

Culture

Roman

Period

2nd century A.D.

Classification

Numismatics

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Numismatics

Obverse Description

Obverse Description: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP Laureate head right, drapery on far shoulder

Reverse Description

Reverse Description: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI; SC in exergue. Aerial view of Circus Maximus: two arches with quadrigas at right and third at left; colonnade and high wall with windows in checkerboard pattern on near arm. Far arm shows sections of seats and tetrastyle temple on podium surmounted by radiate head of Sol. Spina at center has three metae at each end, Cybele riding lion, great obelisk on base surmounted by ornament, and shrine.
Provenance
Hess–Leu, Zurich, April 16, 1964, cat. 24, lot 299. Dr. Meyer, Cologne, Germany, to 1988; Münz Zentrum 64, Cologne, Germany, April 15, 1988, Lot 210; Ben Lee Damsky, 1988–2018; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.
Bibliography
  • "Acquisitions July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018," Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin: Online Supplement (accessed December 1, 2018), 27
  • Benjamin D. R. Hellings, "Ben Lee Damsky's Collection of Miniature Monumenta," Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin (2018), 74–75, fig. 1
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

coins, money, sestertii

Technical metadata and APIs

IIIF

Open in Mirador

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