Lately I've been on a bit of a Trajan obsession, and I've been staring at Lot 478 in the upcoming CNG EA. The description states "Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia" https://auctions.cngcoins.com/lots/...mm-331-g-7h-rome-mint-struck-circa-ad-108-109 Well, I've also been perusing the NAC auction since online viewing affords the ability to pretend a poor guy like myself could actually afford anything in their catalogue, and I came upon this Trajan, Lot 749: https://www.biddr.com/auctions/nac/browse?a=1267&l=1345408 and I immediately went, "that's the same coin!". Obviously not the exact same one, but it looks identical to the CNG one. This one however says, "Concordia standing l., holding scales in r. hand and cornucopia". Now to my untrained eye, I couldn't tell the difference between these two if my life depended on it. Concordia and Aequitas must have been twins at birth or something. And here's the real kicker to me: the CNG coin has the very reasonable estimate of $100, but the NAC one has an estimate at a whopping ONE THOUSAND CHF, or about $1,100. I won't deny that the NAC one is of higher quality, but 11x so? I wouldn't say that much! I have to imagine the price discrepancy is that if that really is Concordia, she must grace us with her presence on coins far less than Aequitas. So all that being said, do we really know which goddess is actually depicted? The reverse words surrounding the goddesses are identical, and I can't make out any material difference in the actual image of the goddess. I don't know nearly enough to make any sort of judgment call on this one so I submit it up to the CT forum as this definitely piqued my interest!
In general, Concordia is depicted with a patera and cornucopiae or scepter, whereas Aequitas holds scales.
Gotcha! I wasn't sure if you were saying the second one had a patera somewhere and I was just missing it. Thanks
It's also the opinion of the British Museum: "Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopia in left hand." Here's a write-up I once did on Concordia.
Not quite sure if I'd consider the CNG estimate reasonable....I find that CNG estimates are very low, typically well below the hammer price. I'll admit this often gives me a false sense of hope. But that is the exact purpose of a low estimate.... I say this as someone who is consistently outbid. While I'm no expert, I wouldn't be surprised if the CNG example went for $250-$400. On the other hand, I agree that the NAC estimate is perhaps a little ambitious. If I were to guess, I would place it in the 650-800 CHF range. However, given the state of the market, I also wouldn't be surprised if it reached its estimate.
Yeah I probably should clarify and say reasonable in how CNG goes about assigning estimates, probably not so much in terms of where the hammer price will land! Though it’s currently sitting still at $110, will be interesting to watch this one!
Very nice types of Trajan at CNG EA , I wish you to win this 478 lot. I'm curious if someone will bid on the NAC denarius , for me sounds crazy its starting price of 800CHF(estimate 1000CHF). They have a ''Report error'' button above the coin description , if you have an account try to use it , report the '' Concordia'' error ....... and ask if the estimate is also an error I saw a fine and rare denarius of Trajan(Lot 745 NAC) estimated much lower(only 200 CHF) than the common Aequitas type , I might have been interested by this coin but my coins budget is much under zero. https://www.biddr.com/auctions/nac/browse?a=1267&l=1345404 and a similar one : https://www.biddr.com/auctions/romanumismatics/browse?a=494&l=506052 my two Aequitas : Trajan Denarius. 103-111 AD. RIC 118 IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP, laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINC, Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae. Trajan Denarius. RIC 119 IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right, draped far shoulder / COS V P P SPQR OPTIMO PRINC, Aequitas seated left holding cornucopiae & scales.