Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIII 23 March 2017
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Trajan AV Aureus. Rome, circa AD 107. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI in three lines within oak wreath C. 581; BMC 253; RIC 150; Woytek 224f; Calicó 1121. 7.39g, 20mm, 7h.
Extremely Fine; lightly toned. Very Rare, and undoubtedly the finest example of this type to have been offered at auction in many years, normally being seen in worn condition and/or with surface flaws.
Ex Archer M. Huntington Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica 67, 17 October 2012, lot 144;
HSA inventory number 22179.
A reverse legend that became a standard feature on his coinage, encircled here by the corona civica is the proud declaration made in AD 103 or 104 that the Senate and the Roman People (SPQR) recognised Trajan as the 'Optimus Princeps' or Best Emperor, linking him immediately with Jupiter Optimus Maximus, the protector and predominant deity of the Roman state. Likely struck after the Conquest of Dacia and the annexation of Nabataea to the empire, the inclusion of the oak wreath (traditionally awarded to those who had saved the life of a Roman citizen, but which had been a prerogative for every emperor since Augustus) and this legend may be seen as a further honorific gesture.
For seven years following the completion of the Dacian campaign Trajan ruled as a civilian emperor, and this legend was utilised in many of the coin types that celebrate the public building works that he undertook. He improved the city water supply by building the Aqua Traiana, and embellished the centre of Rome with the Forum and famous column which bear his name, while further afield he had constructed the Via Traiana from Benevetum to Brundisium, and added an additional basin to the facilities available to ships at Porto near Ostia.
Extremely Fine; lightly toned. Very Rare, and undoubtedly the finest example of this type to have been offered at auction in many years, normally being seen in worn condition and/or with surface flaws.
Ex Archer M. Huntington Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica 67, 17 October 2012, lot 144;
HSA inventory number 22179.
A reverse legend that became a standard feature on his coinage, encircled here by the corona civica is the proud declaration made in AD 103 or 104 that the Senate and the Roman People (SPQR) recognised Trajan as the 'Optimus Princeps' or Best Emperor, linking him immediately with Jupiter Optimus Maximus, the protector and predominant deity of the Roman state. Likely struck after the Conquest of Dacia and the annexation of Nabataea to the empire, the inclusion of the oak wreath (traditionally awarded to those who had saved the life of a Roman citizen, but which had been a prerogative for every emperor since Augustus) and this legend may be seen as a further honorific gesture.
For seven years following the completion of the Dacian campaign Trajan ruled as a civilian emperor, and this legend was utilised in many of the coin types that celebrate the public building works that he undertook. He improved the city water supply by building the Aqua Traiana, and embellished the centre of Rome with the Forum and famous column which bear his name, while further afield he had constructed the Via Traiana from Benevetum to Brundisium, and added an additional basin to the facilities available to ships at Porto near Ostia.