Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Trajan augustus, 98 – 117.
Divo Traiano. Aureus 118, AV 6.98 g. DIVO TRAIANO PART – H AVG PATRI Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. Phoenix, radiate, stands r. on laurel branch. C 659. BMC Hadrian 49 note. RIC 28 var. (also cuirassed). Calicó 983 (these dies).
Extremely rare, only very few specimens known. An interesting and fascinating
issue struck on a very broad flan with a light reddish tone. Minor marks,
otherwise good very fine
Ex Sotheby's 28 November 1986, 47; Stack's Bowers Gallery 174, January 2013, 5006 and CNG 94, 2013, 1167.
In the summer of 117 the Roman world mourned the death of Trajan, a most energetic emperor who served his empire with great distinction. With his passing an age of conquest had come to an end, which would be followed by a strong counter- reaction. Rome would enter a new phase in its history when expansion and conquest no longer were the paths of choice, but there was a preference to consolidate and fortify.
Trajan was succeeded by his kinsman Hadrian. He encountered no serious opposition despite rumours that he was not the rightful heir, but that his accession had been arranged by Trajan's widow Plotina, who had a strong emotional attachment to Hadrian. The memory of Trajan was dutifully honoured, with Hadrian requesting that the senate deify him and that a temple be erected on his behalf. When in the Autumn of 117 the senate offered Hadrian a triumph for the Roman victories in Parthia, he refused and insisted that the honour be awarded posthumously to Trajan. Not only did this demonstrate humility and restraint, but there may have been an element of self-preservation, for Hadrian knew that Trajan's territorial gains were ephemeral and that the splendour of his victory was fast unwinding.
Since the tomb of Augustus had reached capacity with the addition of Nerva in 98, Trajan's ashes were interred at the base of the column he had erected to commemorate his victories in Dacia. It was an unusual choice to be sure, and was contrary to the normal practice, but it was a suitable decision considering how much attention Trajan had paid to creating his legacy.
This aureus inscribed DIVO TRAIANO PARTH AVG PATRI and depicting a radiate phoenix standing upon a laurel branch was struck early in the reign of Hadrian. Among the other types struck in Trajan's posthumous honor were issues inscribed TRIVMPHVS PARTHICVS, celebrating his triumphal procession, and issues bearing the portraits of both Trajan and Hadrian.
Divo Traiano. Aureus 118, AV 6.98 g. DIVO TRAIANO PART – H AVG PATRI Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. Phoenix, radiate, stands r. on laurel branch. C 659. BMC Hadrian 49 note. RIC 28 var. (also cuirassed). Calicó 983 (these dies).
Extremely rare, only very few specimens known. An interesting and fascinating
issue struck on a very broad flan with a light reddish tone. Minor marks,
otherwise good very fine
Ex Sotheby's 28 November 1986, 47; Stack's Bowers Gallery 174, January 2013, 5006 and CNG 94, 2013, 1167.
In the summer of 117 the Roman world mourned the death of Trajan, a most energetic emperor who served his empire with great distinction. With his passing an age of conquest had come to an end, which would be followed by a strong counter- reaction. Rome would enter a new phase in its history when expansion and conquest no longer were the paths of choice, but there was a preference to consolidate and fortify.
Trajan was succeeded by his kinsman Hadrian. He encountered no serious opposition despite rumours that he was not the rightful heir, but that his accession had been arranged by Trajan's widow Plotina, who had a strong emotional attachment to Hadrian. The memory of Trajan was dutifully honoured, with Hadrian requesting that the senate deify him and that a temple be erected on his behalf. When in the Autumn of 117 the senate offered Hadrian a triumph for the Roman victories in Parthia, he refused and insisted that the honour be awarded posthumously to Trajan. Not only did this demonstrate humility and restraint, but there may have been an element of self-preservation, for Hadrian knew that Trajan's territorial gains were ephemeral and that the splendour of his victory was fast unwinding.
Since the tomb of Augustus had reached capacity with the addition of Nerva in 98, Trajan's ashes were interred at the base of the column he had erected to commemorate his victories in Dacia. It was an unusual choice to be sure, and was contrary to the normal practice, but it was a suitable decision considering how much attention Trajan had paid to creating his legacy.
This aureus inscribed DIVO TRAIANO PARTH AVG PATRI and depicting a radiate phoenix standing upon a laurel branch was struck early in the reign of Hadrian. Among the other types struck in Trajan's posthumous honor were issues inscribed TRIVMPHVS PARTHICVS, celebrating his triumphal procession, and issues bearing the portraits of both Trajan and Hadrian.