Chaponnière & Firmenich SA
Auction 13 16 May 2021
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ROMAN EMPIRE. Trajan, 98-117. Aureus 113, Rome. Obv. IMP TRAIANVS AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P. Draped, cuirassed and laureate three-quarter bust of Trajan right. Rev. FORVM TRAIAN in exergue. Trajan's forum main entrance, with two columns under the pediment and two on each side. A gate at the center, and statues between the other columns, a shield over the gate and each statue. Over the edifice, a chariot drawn by six horses driven by Trajan crowned by the Victory and holding a branch. On each side, a soldier guiding the chariot, a trophy and a Victory. RIC 257; Calicó 1031; Woytek 409f. AU. 7.27 g. AU
Very rare.
The Forum of Trajan is one of the most impressive architectural complexes left to us from Roman Antiquity. Built in the heart of the Eternal City, it extends to those of Caesar and Augustus. Located at the foot of the Quirinal, it exposes to visitors the splendor and prowess of Roman architecture at its peak. In 106, when Trajan finally defeated the Dacians and seized their fabulous treasure, he desired to remind the people of Rome of his feat. He decided to build his own forum and wanted it to surpass those of his illustrious predecessors. To achieve such a feat, Trajan must spend lavishly. The war he has just won will easily allow him to do so. The loot is colossal: 500,000 prisoners, 162 tons of gold and twice as much in silver. The gold of our commemorative coin certainly comes from this fabulous treasure.
Unlike Trajan's Column, which can still be admired on his forum, the arch of the main entrance, celebrating the triumph over the Dacians, has all but disappeared. These historical representations are extremely rare witnesses of its splendor, of which our example offers a particularly well-preserved view.
Such a representation has obviously caught the attention of numismatists. Some authors, such as Georges Depeyrot, hypothesize that these aurei then served as models throughout the Empire. Without going that far, it is clear that this spectacular coin is amazing with its realism, precision and the quality of its execution.
Very rare.
The Forum of Trajan is one of the most impressive architectural complexes left to us from Roman Antiquity. Built in the heart of the Eternal City, it extends to those of Caesar and Augustus. Located at the foot of the Quirinal, it exposes to visitors the splendor and prowess of Roman architecture at its peak. In 106, when Trajan finally defeated the Dacians and seized their fabulous treasure, he desired to remind the people of Rome of his feat. He decided to build his own forum and wanted it to surpass those of his illustrious predecessors. To achieve such a feat, Trajan must spend lavishly. The war he has just won will easily allow him to do so. The loot is colossal: 500,000 prisoners, 162 tons of gold and twice as much in silver. The gold of our commemorative coin certainly comes from this fabulous treasure.
Unlike Trajan's Column, which can still be admired on his forum, the arch of the main entrance, celebrating the triumph over the Dacians, has all but disappeared. These historical representations are extremely rare witnesses of its splendor, of which our example offers a particularly well-preserved view.
Such a representation has obviously caught the attention of numismatists. Some authors, such as Georges Depeyrot, hypothesize that these aurei then served as models throughout the Empire. Without going that far, it is clear that this spectacular coin is amazing with its realism, precision and the quality of its execution.