Coin with the Circus Maximus

The reverse of this bronze sestertius depicts the Circus Maximus in Rome. In the lower part is the external facade of the building depicted as a continuous row of arches topped by exterior wall of the wooden gallery. Above this, the arena of the circus is depicted. A horizontal line represents the central barrier around which the chariots raced (spina) which is decorated with various monuments including the turning posts (meta), an obelisk (center), a shrine. To the left (east) of the spina is an arch topped with a four-horse chariot (quadriga), a monumental entrance way to the circus, while to the right (west) the profile of a two storey structure represents the starting gates (carceres) from which a quadriga is emerging. The inscription surrounding the image reads "SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI" and in the exergue is "S C" translating to "The Senate and People of Rome to the Best Emperor" and "by decree of the Senate" respectively.