A recent pick up from CNG is this fantastic building minted 64 AD by Nero, on the reverse is pictured a two-story building with the embellished by a semicircular portion and a central stairway. The building is characterized by the inscription MAC (ellum) AVG (usti) making it readily recognizable as a food market: meat, vegetables, fruit and above all, oil. The macellum pictured on my coin refers in particular to the "Macellum Magnum", probably dating back to the year 59 AD, and only a small portion is portrayed here, perhaps the external main entrance or maybe part of the internal courtyard with the building seen in a circular section. In the center of the building, a cult statue of a forward facing male holding a long scepter in his left hand. During the fifth century was partially destroyed as a result of continuous battles, until it was finally transformed into the Church of "Santo Stefano Rotondo" under the papacy of Pope Simplicius some time before 483 AD. Of the building of Nero the only remaining portions are the travertine foundations, part of the enclosure wall, and eight pilasters of the outer colonnade, but the fourth century structure was built on the original foundations and appears to have preserved in general the form of the original. It consisted of a two-storied circular colonnade, of twenty-two columns, which supported a domed roof. This was surrounded by an outer concentric colonnade of thirty-six columns, also two stories high. Outside of this was an ambulatory 10 meters wide, divided into eight segments by rows of columns The alternate segments had no outer wall and therefore resembled open courts. The original circular building of Nero was enclosed by a rectangular portico's,containing shops, of which remains were perhaps still to be seen in the sixteenth century Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Dupondius (29mm, 15.84 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 64. Radiate head right / Façade of the Macellum Magnum: statue standing facing on base within cylindrical tetrastyle entrance set on tiered base, upper tristyle story surmounted by ornate conical dome; two-story tristyle porch on either side. RIC I 184; WCN 203. Brown patina, porous surfaces, some earthen deposits. Fine. Ex CNG auction 496, lot 423. PLEASE POST your Ancient architecture on coins.
What a wonderful addition @Ancient Aussie . I’ll have to go back through my photos of Rome and see if I have any photos of the remains of this building. I always enjoy your architecture coins! Did you get a chance to visit what is left of this building while you were in Rome? Unfortunately I don’t have any Nero or 12 Caesars architecture coins to share so I will post a few of my favorites from other periods. The Temple of Faustina The Temple of Augustus at Ankara One of the forts built by Diocletian along the Danube.
Architecture Roman Republic M. Volteius M.f.. AR Denarius; 78 BCE Sear 312, Cr-385/1, Syd-774 Obv: Laureate head of Jupiter r. Rx: Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, M VOLTEI MF in exergue
Thanks Curtis, love all three of yours but that Diocletian is top quality, in answer to your question whether I seen the ruins or the church supposedly enclosing is no unfortunately, as Maxwell Smart would say "close but not close enough", I walked within 100 mts of the church but easily distracted in Rome and end up walking in circles Definitely on my list for next time apparently the church is pretty gruesome with wall paintings showing scenes of torture as a warning to people entering Rome.... they had a funny idea what a church was supposed to symbolize in those days.
Wow @Ancient Aussie! That is an iconic type. Congrats! This is one my favourite architectural types. Titus AR Cistophorus, 10.64g Rome mint (for Asia), 80-81 AD Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M.; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: CAPIT across field, RESTIT in exergue; Temple of Capitoline Jupiter with 4 columns enclosing figures of Juno, seated Jupiter and Minverva RIC 515 (R). BMC spec. acquired 1948. RSC -. RPC 860 (3 spec.). BNC 111. Acquired from Calgary Coin, 30 November 2015. Ex MS collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk 124, 3 January 2002, lot 448. The Temple of Jupiter was in the process of being rebuilt after the fire of 80 AD when this coin was struck.
Nice subject. I have already posted my Trajan's Column denarius but it fits the topic. Column of Trajan surmounted with a statue of Trajan; two eagles at base and a wreath with spirals and dots on column A hexastyle temple from Probus - Roma seated in centre, holding Victory in right hand and sceptre in left hand A provincial Trajan from Seleucia. Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙ(Ϲ) ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ΑΡΙϹΤ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ (ΔΑΚ), laureate head of Trajan, r. / Rev: ϹΕΛΕΥΚΕ ω Ν ΠΕΙΕΡΙΑϹ (or ΠΙΕΡΙΑϹ), sacred stone of Zeus Kasios with fillet attached within shrine consisting of four pillars supporting a pyramidal roof surmounted by an eagle; beneath, ΖΕΥС ΚΑСΙΟС; In field, r., Ϛ
The Macellum dupondius can always count on being pricey. This example is of the transitional type, GERM obverse while the reverse lacks the denomination. It is seriously rough, but relatively little wear. It was fairly cheap - in good condition these cost plenty. Ex Incitatus
Yet to score one of those Marcus Aurelius Sestertius but always on the lookout. I hope I can get one as good as yours.
Lucky to have such a rare coin, and thanks for the info I was wondering what the difference was between RIC 184 and 186.
Aureus of Claudius with Praetorian barracks on reverse... RR denarii of Egnatius with temple on reverse followed by denarius of Palicanus with Roman Rostrum on reverse... Sestertius of Nero with temple of Janus reverse... several asses of Nero with Macellum reverse... first from mint of Rome , followed by two minted at Lugdunum.