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Roman Emp., Trajan, Aureus end of 113

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:9,600.00 CHF Estimated At:12,000.00 - 15,000.00 CHF
Roman Emp., Trajan, Aureus end of 113
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The Roman Empire, Trajan, 98 – 117, Aureus end of 113, AV 7.04 g. IMP TRAIANVS AVG GER – DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. Façade of Trajan’s Forum, formed by six columns; a central entrance, four niches containing statues; on top of the roof a facing quadriga between three statues on either side. In exergue, FORVM TRAIAN. C 168. BMC 509. RIC 257. CBN 568. Calicó 1030. Rare. Several edge marks, otherwise about extremely fine Ex M&M sale 93, 2003, Bally-Herzog 144. Many Roman emperors were fond of architecture, and consequently for striking coins with architectural types, but in this regard we must acknowledge that Trajan was the most prolific of them all. On this aureus we have a depiction of his marvellous forum, represented by the façade of its entrance. It appears as a building of six columns with its central entrance flanked by four distyle shrines, each containing a statue and situated beneath a circular shield. The roof supports an array of statues and statuary groups: in the centre is a facing chariot of six horses; the outermost horses are assisted by standing warriors, and the whole scene is flanked by military trophies and figures of Victory. The forum was dedicated in 112 or 113, the coin types presumably were struck in 115, and the final touches seemingly were completed about two years later. Trajan struck a variety of Imperial coins with architectural reverses, including many with identifiable statues and statuary groups, such as Trajan’s equestrian statue and the castellum of the Aqua Traiana. Foremost among his other architectural types are his basilica, the Circus Maximus, the ‘Danube bridge,’ a hexagonal harbour, a triumphal arch, Trajan’s Column (see lot 73), a richly ornamented gateway to Area Capitolina, the temple of Jupiter Victor and an octastyle temple which may be that of Honos, or perhaps the one eventually dedicated by Hadrian to Trajan and Plotina that occupied the end of the forum opposite the entrance depicted on this aureus.