contorniate

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Object Type
Museum number: 1853,0512.235
Description: Copper alloy contorniate. (whole); Laureate, draped bust of Trajan, left. (obverse); Emperor, wearing pontifical robes, standing right, sacrificing from patera at altar placed in front of a hexastyle temple; behind him, two attendants; on right of altar, a camillus, attendant and victimarius with bull; behind the altar, tibicen. (reverse)
State
Cultures/periods
Production date: 4thC(late)-5thC
Production place: Minted in: Rome (city)
Materials
Dimensions: Die-axis: 12 o'clock; Weight: 28.253 grammes
$Inscriptions
Bibliographic references: Alföldi / Die Kontorniat-Medaillons (268) (type); BMCRM / Roman Medallions in the British Museum (2, p.2); Mittag 1999 / Alte Köpfe in neuen Händen: Urheber und Funktion der Kontorniaten (Traiainus III) (obverse die)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: emperor/empress; temple; sacrifice
Associated names
Associated places: Named in inscription: Rome
Acquisition name: Purchased from: Pierre-Justin Sabatier; Purchased through: Sotheby's; Purchased through: Harry Osborn Cureton
Acquisition date: 1853
Acquisition notes: Lot 271.
Department: Coins and Medals
Registration number: 1853,0512.235
C&M catalogue number: RM (BMCRM) (2) (2)

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