Rare Roman coin showing one of the earliest representations of the Colosseum sold for £ 372,000.
The coin is a bronze sesterce dating from 81 CE. – as scientists claim, it is one of the 10 preserved to our times. Seven of the coins are in the museum, while the other three are adorned with private collections. The described coin was purchased in 1939 by a British art connoisseur.
Eventually, the family members sold the artefact to a private European collector for a hefty sum of £ 372,000, when the coin was valued at £ 80,000.
The obverse of the coin features an image of the Colosseum, which has just been built. On the reverse, in turn, there is an image of Emperor Titus, who could see with his own eyes the completion of the work of his father, Vespasian.