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The Macellum Magnum

431, Lot: 369. Estimate $400.
Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Dupondius (29.5mm, 13.99 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 65. Laureate head right, globe at point of neck / 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 401; WCN 504; Lyon 82. VF, brown patina, smoothing.


Ex Gorny & Mosch 237 (7 March 2016), lot 1836; Lanz 72 (29 May 1995), lot 513.

The Macellum Magnum was Nero's great provision-market, probably dating from AD 59. This magnificent structure, originally occupying the middle of a square lined with porticoes and shops, was located on the Caelian Hill. It survived in its original state until the late 4th century, when its dilapidated condition necessitated a major reconstruction. During the turbulent 5th century the building again fell into partial ruin and in the latter part of the century it was transformed under Pope Simplicius (468-482) into the church of S. Stefano Rotondo.