Architectural features rarely appeared on Greek coins. Rather, representations of the built world on coinage were a Roman phenomenon that has whetted numismatic interest since the Renaissance, creating a subfield commonly referred to as architectura numismatica. The value of architectural representations on coins should not be underestimated. They are often the sole remaining evidence for the appearance or existence of a monument or building, and shape our insight of daily life in the ancient world. The details, engraved into the coin die in reverse and at such a minuscule size, warrant admiration since they rarely survive on most coins. Without an understanding of the historical context, the significance of each coin and of the decision to portray a particular structure loses meaning.

Depicted on Sestertius is the Circus Maximus, or the "greatest circus"—one of the most remarkable Roman structures ever built. Today, very little remains of the once impressive structure, but we can still appreciate its enormous dimensions; by comparison, the arena of the Colosseum can fit twelve times into that of the Circus Maximus. This coin is the single most detailed specimen known to survive that depicts one of the most important structures of the Eternal City.