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Auction: 25055 - British Medals and World Coins featuring The Hurter-Amman Collection of Ancient and European Gold
Lot: 1095

NGC XF | Roman Empire, Trajan (98-117), AV Aureus, struck AD 98-99, Rome, IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right, rev. P M TR P COS II P P, Fortuna standing holding rudder and cornucopia, 7.27g, 6h (Calicó 1042; Cohen 205; RIC II, 4), some minor scuffs to fields, otherwise residually lustrous, a bold very fine, in NGC 'Ancients' holder, strictly graded Extremely Fine ~ Brushed (Cert. #8534355-001) [Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5]

Provenance

The "Hurter-Amman" Collection of Ancient and World Gold and Silver Coins and Medals



The coinage of Trajan is described, a little unfairly, by Mattingly and Sydenham as 'flat and unimaginative' (RIC II p. 237). This rather overlooks the resplendence of Trajan's very first issues, of which this is one, with its severe portrait, strong brow, and the pleasing uniformness with which the legend has been inscribed. Indeed, presenting himself as straightforward was of great importance to Trajan, the first emperor not to have been an Italian.


With the expansion of the senatorial class and the provincial economic development driven by the Pax Romana, wealthy provincials found themselves in possession of rapidly increasing political power at Rome. Thus, the first Spanish emperor, Trajan, was followed by another, Hadrian, both born close to modern day Seville; and the late and early second centuries brought a series of African and Middle Eastern emperors with the Severan dynasty.


The reverse, likewise, aimed for neutrality, and a number of generic personifications like Fortuna were used throughout Trajan's reign. Note the prow to the left of Fortuna's feet, with its characteristic pointed bronze ram. In the forum, a series of captured rams called rostra (beaks or prows) lent their name to the dais built upon them; it is from this tradition that the auctioneer's platform is traditionally called a rostrum.


https://www.ngccoin.uk/certlookup/8534355-001/NGCAncients/

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Estimate
£2,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£1400