A Colosseum Sesteritus!

[David Atherton]

I'm a lifelong fan of Roman history. Many of the Roman history books I read as a child illustrated coins depicting the Colosseum. From an early age I was aware of these coins. Before collecting Roman coins I thought I'd never hold one, after I started collecting I never thought I'd own one ... that is until now. Recently, this piece came up for sale, although worn it's honest and the major devices are still intact, but more importantly price-wise it was within reach. I cannot think of another coin type I would want more. It is a way to connect with my childhood while simultaneously touching a history I've always found immensely fascinating.

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=184767

In hand.

https://youtu.be/rEZNAOEWfcQ?si=Aa6jG52Ltsby5kE5

Aaron Berk estimates there are no more than 80 of these coins in existence today, many of which have tooling and/or smoothing issues. Thankfully, this is one of the rare pieces that is untouched. A major gap in my collection has finally been filled!

As always, thank you for looking and watching!

[Thilo]

Amazing! Congratulations!

[Joe Sermarini]

Great type. I haven't even handled one yet. Nice!

[*Alex]

Congratulations David, your enthusiasm for the coin, and Roman history in general, is evident, I'm very pleased for you.

Alex

[Jay GT4]

I don't think there are many other coins that could top this for a Flavian collector.  Fantastic piece!

[David Atherton]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments.

Jay, it was my number one collecting goal to acquire an example. I can't think of another Flavian type that surpasses it!

And Joe, that speaks volumes regarding the rarity!

[Virgil H]

Such a fantastic coin. I appreciate your passion. Congrats!

Virgil

[Curtis JJ]

Congratulations! Not that I was thinking of it for myself, but I definitely noticed that one. It's great to see it ending up with your collection!

Is this a new one? N. Elkins published all those he found in sale catalogs didn't he?

I have a long file of annotated 20th century auction catalogs, and this is one of the types I make note of as an index of catalog quality. Looks like 26 results for "Colosseum" in my notes (but including the Severus Alexander ones). Let me know if you're researching provenance & I'll send you the sales with one of these (and their online links), since there may be something others missed.

[David Atherton]

Curtis, as far as I know Elkins did not know of this specimen, despite its 1985 auction record. My assumption is that he missed many more. I think Aaron is closer to being accurate with his guess of between 70 to 80 specimens of the Colosseum type in all its variants. Of course, that's anecdotal and not based on scholarly research.

Certainly I would be interested in any provenance research you have regarding this type! My email info is in my profile.

Thanks for the offer!

[Serendipity]

Yes, that's a remarkable Colosseum coin comparable to the Eid Mar denarii as you quite rightly mentioned in your description of the rare sestertius and redolent of the sounds and spectacle of the Roman Empire. I also greatly appreciate you sharing the video of the sestertius with us. Perseverance and patience always pays off eventually. Well worth the wait!

[David Atherton]

Yes, that's a remarkable Colosseum coin comparable to the Eid Mar denarii as you quite rightly mentioned in your description of the rare sestertius and redolent of the sounds and spectacle of the Roman Empire. I also greatly appreciate you sharing the video of the sestertius with us. Perseverance and patience always pays off eventually. Well worth the wait!

In Harlan J Berk's 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, the Colosseum sestertius is the second highest ranked Roman coin behind the EID MAR ... with the general public it would probably #1!

[Jay GT4]

What I like about coins like this is that you don't have to explain what it is you're looking at.  A casual observer will be able to tell it's the Colosseum

[David Atherton]

What I like about coins like this is that you don't have to explain what it is you're looking at.  A casual observer will be able to tell it's the Colosseum

Exactly! Everyone knows the Colosseum, not everyone knows what EID MAR means!

[LordBest]

Fantastic coin, congrats. You must have nearly all the Flavian architectural types now?

[David Atherton]

You must have nearly all the Flavian architectural types now?

Pretty much ... I'm just missing a few varieties. For example, Domitian struck a series of temple denarii at the end of his reign, of which I'm missing a few.

The Colosseum sestertius is of course the crowning architectural coin type ... so I'm not complaining!

[ancientdave]

What an addition! I am bowled over, this is a once in a lifetime collecting achievement. I am so thrilled for you!

[David Atherton]

What an addition! I am bowled over, this is a once in a lifetime collecting achievement. I am so thrilled for you!

Thanks Dave! I knew you would appreciate this one!