Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXVII 22-23 Mar 2023
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Trajan AV Aureus. Rome, AD 113-114. • IMP • TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / S • P • Q • R • OPTIMO PRINCIPI, aquila between vexillum surmounted by wreath on left and signum surmounted by hand on right. RIC II 294 var. (bust type); BMCRE 456-7 var. (positions of vexillum and signum); Woytek 418f-1 (this coin cited); Beckmann, Early, Group VIII, 14b (a48/S8 - this coin); Biaggi 544 (same dies); BN 735; Calicó 1120 (same dies). 7.07g, 20mm, 6h.
Near Extremely Fine.
This coin cited in B. Woytek, Die Reichsprägung des kaisers Traianus (98-117). MIR 14. (Vienna, 2010);
This coin published in Martin Beckmann, 'The Early Gold Coinage of Trajan's Sixth Consulship' in AJN 12 (2000);
Ex Peter J. Merani Collection, Triton XXIV, 19 January 2021, lot 170;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 42, 29 May 1997, lot 889;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 40, 4 December 1996, lot 1471;
Ex J. Schulman, Auction 183, 9 October 1933, lot 72;
Ex Joseph-François Laugier Collection, J. Schulman, Auction 114, 5 May 1913, lot 162.
Barely five years into his reign around AD 103, Trajan was accorded the title of 'Optimus' by the Senate. This singular honour, which had never before been bestowed and never would be again, was a result of Trajan's enormous popularity among his peers, and in recognition of his role as a benefactor to the people of Rome. Pliny the Younger, in his Panegyricus, considered Trajan an "optimum principem" because he himself approved or disapproved of that which the Senate would, and because though in reality Trajan was an autocrat, his deferential and humble behaviour towards his peers qualified him to be seen as virtuous, wielding power through moderation rather than insolence, leading by example rather than ruling through fear.
Joseph-François Laugier (1828-1901) was curator of the Marseille Medal Cabinet and a member of the Académie de Marseille (elected on 25th April 1872). His interest in numismatics began as a boy, when supposedly he enjoyed observing the coins found by local farmers in their fields. Before his post at the Marseille Medal Cabinet he had been a mechanic in the Navy, and over a long career in numismatics he published several works on the subject and worked as a draughtsman in the publication of others.
Near Extremely Fine.
This coin cited in B. Woytek, Die Reichsprägung des kaisers Traianus (98-117). MIR 14. (Vienna, 2010);
This coin published in Martin Beckmann, 'The Early Gold Coinage of Trajan's Sixth Consulship' in AJN 12 (2000);
Ex Peter J. Merani Collection, Triton XXIV, 19 January 2021, lot 170;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 42, 29 May 1997, lot 889;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 40, 4 December 1996, lot 1471;
Ex J. Schulman, Auction 183, 9 October 1933, lot 72;
Ex Joseph-François Laugier Collection, J. Schulman, Auction 114, 5 May 1913, lot 162.
Barely five years into his reign around AD 103, Trajan was accorded the title of 'Optimus' by the Senate. This singular honour, which had never before been bestowed and never would be again, was a result of Trajan's enormous popularity among his peers, and in recognition of his role as a benefactor to the people of Rome. Pliny the Younger, in his Panegyricus, considered Trajan an "optimum principem" because he himself approved or disapproved of that which the Senate would, and because though in reality Trajan was an autocrat, his deferential and humble behaviour towards his peers qualified him to be seen as virtuous, wielding power through moderation rather than insolence, leading by example rather than ruling through fear.
Joseph-François Laugier (1828-1901) was curator of the Marseille Medal Cabinet and a member of the Académie de Marseille (elected on 25th April 1872). His interest in numismatics began as a boy, when supposedly he enjoyed observing the coins found by local farmers in their fields. Before his post at the Marseille Medal Cabinet he had been a mechanic in the Navy, and over a long career in numismatics he published several works on the subject and worked as a draughtsman in the publication of others.