My Adoptive Emperors set is coming along nicely... this came in the mail today.. TRAJAN AE orichalcum sestertius. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V P P, Laureate head right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse - SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, SC in ex, Victory standing left, holding palm branch and erecting trophy; shields at base. RIC 523. 32mm, 23.6g Struck 104-107 CE **This was the coin that prompted my question on orichalcum. Really glad I purchased it as the seller's picture was not as flattering as in hand (or as nice as it looks in this photo that I took today). Please post any Trajan Sestertius you have...
Congratulations @Clavdivs! I only have one Trajan sestertius these days - I particularly like it for its patina. The obverse and reverse legends are identical to yours, but the reverse depiction is different (I think you meant post any Trajan sestertius rather than Hadrian?). RIC Vol. II, TRAJAN, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 534, 98-117AD, (35mm, 22.6gm) Obverse depiction: Trajan, head facing right, wearing aegis Inscription: IMP CAES NERVAE TRIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP Reverse depiction: Trajan galloping on horseback spearing a fallen Dacian soldier Inscription: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI - in exergue S C
Yes I corrected that typo - thanks for pointing it out. Sometimes my mind moves faster than my fingers (and sometimes much slower!) Great patina and an amazing action scene on your coin - thank you for posting!
Nice Trajan portrait coin Clavdivs, your not trying to get the whole set of adoptive emperors in a few days are you... This is my only Trajan Sestertius, his column. Trajan Sestertius of his column. 112-115 AD. 25gm, RIC 601
@Ancient Aussie - Wow - what a great coin!! Incredible! I hit a milestone birthday this month... and my wife's gift is to not look at the next VISA bill - just pay it. So for the next few weeks my trips to the mailbox will be pretty exciting. Good times... good wife!
Thanks, I was lucky and come across this one where the dealer had taken a bad photo of the coin (below) which of course cut down the demand and price.
Rome, 107 AD; Sestertius 32 mm, 23.78 g; Ref.: RIC II 479; Cohen 369; Obv.: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate head right Rev.: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI Ceres draped, standing left, holding corn-ears in right and long torch in left hand, modius at feet; S-C Rome, 108 - 111 AD; Sestertius 32 mm, 24.38 g; Ref.: Cohen 485; RIC II Trajan 515; Obv.: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P laureate bust r., drapery on left shoulder Rev.: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI Salus seated left, feeding from patera a snake coiled around an altar; in ex. S C
Some very nice Trajans here. I have a couple, but they are pretty rough - below is the best one I have (if that's any indication of the overall quality). Despite the extensive wear, it is one of my favorite sestertii (in my collection, I mean) - the portrait and lettering (what's left of it) are masterful, a testament to the Roman Empire at its height. It was one of those eBay listings described only as "ancient coin" where I do a lot of my bottom-feeding ($7.39): Trajan Æ Sestertius (c. 114-117 A.D.) Rome Mint [IMP CA]ES NER TRAI[ANO OPTIMO] AVG GER DAC PAR[THICO PM TRP COS VI P P], laureate draped bust right / [PROVIDENTIA AVGVSTI SPQRSC] Providentia stdg. left. RIC 663; Cohen 320. (22.37 grams / 31 mm)
I have no idea what the metal content of my Trajan sestertius is. Mine comes up a dark black in color. I am sure there is a study somewhere (or ought to be one) in which the study would reveal why coins described as "brass" come down to us in almost every color of the rainbow.
my first 2 sestertii are orichalcum, but I'm not sure of the third - though I think it is as well. is
Here is one with a lot of mileage : Trajan Sestertius Pax seating. RIC 510 And another one quietly relaxing in a good bath of olive oil :
I've got two Trajan sestertii related to his attempts at regime change in the Middle East, one Rex Parthis Datis (A King Given to Parthia) and one Regna Adsignata (Kings Assigned):
OK, but there is nothing special (OPTIMO PRINCIPI), about the reverse which is not as well struck and seems to have suffered more wear.
Very nice coin kevin McGonigal, thank you very much for sharing I think most of us always learn something new seeing all these different and beautiful coins (there are also members who have already all the knowledge and have seen it all ). The reverse could be Roma standing left, holding Victory and a spear, reference RIC II 483; Cohen 383, but on yours Trajan's bust doesn't seem to have his left shoulder draped, maybe it is just the picture? Here you can find RIC II 483: http://numismatics.org/collection/1978.64.406 and http://numismatics.org/collection/1965.32.28 they say that the material is bronze and yours is in much better condition Thanks again for sharing
