Caracalla: a wonderful sestertius depicting the Circus Maximus

Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Æ Sestertius (23.34 gm). Struck 213 AD. M AVREL
ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / P M TR
P XVI. IMP II above, COS IIII P P SC in two lines in exergue, view of the
Circus Maximus, arcade of twelve arches (the Duodecim Portae) in front with
large arch to right, two other arches left and right surmounted by
quadriga, temple of Sol along back wall; within from left to right, meta,
equestrian statue of Trajan, obelisk of Augustus, shrine of Cybele, column,
meta, and three racing quadrigae. RIC IV 500a; BMCRE 251; Hill 1372; Hill,
Monuments, 73; Cohen 236; Platt-Hall 1720 (same reverse die). Near EF,
choice dark green patina. One of the classic Roman rarities.

From Triton II (CNG/Freeman & Sear/NAC, 1-2 December 1998), lot 958,
realized $26,450 with buyer's fee.