Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Trajan, 98-117

Sestertius circa 112/113-summer 114, Æ 24.74 g. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate bust r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. [ S P Q R OPTIMO] PR – INCIPI Façade of Trajan's Forum, formed by six columns; a central entrance, four niches containing statues; on top of the roof a facing quadriga between three statues on either side. In exergue, FORVM TRAIAN / S C. C 169 var. (draped). BMC 984. RIC 630 var. (no drapery). CBN 715 var. (draped and cuirassed). Woytek 465b2. Very rare and a very interesting reverse type. Dark green
patina and about very fine / very fine

Many Roman emperors were fond of architecture, and consequently struck coins with architectural types, but in this regard we must acknowledge that Trajan was the most prolific of them all. On this sestertius we have a depiction of his marvellous forum, represented by the façade of its entrance. It appears as a building of six columns with its central entrance flanked by four distyle shrines, each containing a statue and situated beneath a circular shield. The roof supports an array of statues and statuary groups: in the center is a facing chariot of six horses; the outermost horses are assisted by standing warriors, and the whole scene is flanked by military trophies and figures of Victory. The forum was dedicated in 112 or 113, the coin types presumably were struck in 115, and the final touches seemingly were completed about two years later. Trajan struck a variety of Imperial coins with architectural reverses, including many with identifiable statues and statuary groups, such as Trajan's equestrian statue and the castellum of the Aqua Traiana. Foremost among his other architectural types are his basilica, the Circus Maximus, the 'Danube bridge,' a hexagonal harbour, a triumphal arch, Trajan's Column, a richly ornamented gateway to Area Capitolina, the temple of Jupiter Victor and an octastyle temple which may be that of Honos, or perhaps the one eventually dedicated by Hadrian to Trajan and Plotina that occupied the end of the forum opposite the entrance depicted on this sestertius.