Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 1432. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $4500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

TRAJAN. 98-117 AD. Æ Sestertius (22.21 gm). Struck circa 112-115 AD. Laureate and draped bust right / BASILICA VLPIA in exergue, the Basilica Ulpia: building façade with three distyle avant-corps, each set on two-tiered base; central epistylon surmonted by quadriga held by figures on either side; flanking epistyla each surmounted by horseman. RIC II -; BMCRE 983 note; Cohen 44. Near VF, olive and brown patina, flan crack, light roughness. Very rare and desirable architectural type. ($4000)

From the Tony Hardy Collection.

A major element of Trajan's Forum, the Basilica Ulpia was an oblong building that stood perpendicular to the central axis of the Forum and divided the large open area with the equestrian statue of Trajan at its center from the Greek and Latin libraries flanking Trajan's Column behind. Constructed in two stories, and richly endowed with marbles from across the empire, the Basilica was a place not only where daily business was transacted, but demonstrated the extent of Rome's power and prestige.