Sestertius of Trajan, Emperor of Rome from Rome
Mint: Rome
Ruler: Trajan, Emperor of Rome, A.D. 53–117, ruled A.D. 98–117
103–11
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.
Audio Guides
Benjamin D. R. Hellings, Curator
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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.
- Medium
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Orichalcum
- Dimensions
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26.26 g, 6:00, 33 mm
- Credit Line
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Gift of Ben Lee Damsky
- Accession Number
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2018.65.1
- Geography
- Culture
- Period
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2nd century A.D.
- Classification
- Disclaimer
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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 shoulderReverse 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
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'," in "Recent Acquisitions," special issue, Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin (2018), 74–75, fig. 1
Object copyright
Additional information
Object/Work type
Technical metadata and APIs
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