Napoleon had a thing about Rome and this is reflected in everything he did, particularly on the medals of the period. I now have an example of the medal depicting the Vendome column in Paris, erected in 1810 as tribute to the Grand Armee and the Victory at Austerlitz in 1805. This was Napoleon's take on Trajan's column in Rome. Both columns show a spiral relief of important military events, the major events of the 1805 campaign for Napoleon and in this case of Trajan the Dacian campaign. The similarity does not end there as they also seem to have had the statue on the top changed a few times over the years – Napoleon, originally dressed in Roman garb, did not survive much past 1814 and the fall of his Empire. Trajan’s column didn’t suffer the ultimate fate unlike the Vendome column which was pulled down completely in 1871 only to be re-erected a mere three years later. It is a few years since I was in Rome, please post anything to do with Trajan's column!
Excellent medal Like Napoleon, I too love Trajan. For that matter I love Napoleon as well. This was listed as a fourré, but I just don't see the bronze with coin in hand. Could be that the silver is just so diluted that someone assumed it was fouree: Trajan, 98-117. Denarius (Subaeratus, 18 mm, 2.94 g, 6 h), a contemporary plated imitation, after 113. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan to right, seen from behind. Rev. S•P•Q•R•OPTIMO PRINCIPI Trajan's Column: column surmounted by statue of Trajan standing left, holding patera and scepter, and set on podium decorated with eagles. BMC 452. Cohen 558. RIC 292. Woytek 425v. Nicely toned. Minor breaks in plating, otherwise, very fine. Purchased from Leu Numismatiks Aug 2021 And here's a fav medal of Napoleon honoring the old Gods:
Nice one @Ryro . My column is no match, but it's still one of my favorite coins! IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, bust of Trajan, laureate, draped, right / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Column of Trajan surmounted with a statue of Trajan; two eagles at base and a wreath with spirals and dots on column RIC II Trajan 292
Hi All, Napoleon did also like the Ptolemies it seems. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/i-bought-a-modern-coin.368874/page-2#post-4968100 - Broucheion
@ColonialCoinsUK , that appears to be a very nice medal. Do you have a close-up picture that shows the detail on the column? These are the example of Trajans Columna now in my collection:
Nice, I love those medals and tokens that reflect back on ancient architecture. Trajan, 98-117 AD, SR 1015a, AE Dupondius, Radiate bust , right/ rev, Trajan's column with two eagles at base. Trajan Sestertius of his column. 112-115 AD. 25gm, RIC 601. AR silver denarius RIC11 356, Rome mint circa 114 AD, 3gm. 19.4mm. Toned.
Thankyou all - it appears there are many coins with Trajan's column on. The variation in the same thing always amazes me. @Yorkshire - it wouldn't surprise me about Nelson's column as this came a few years after Napoleon's statue (this time as the iconic 'little corporal') was reinstated at the top of the vendome column in 1833. @Eduard - pic attached from another auction which is brighter and shows more detail as my example is quite dark and it is just a scan. I have just noticed that a gold example has just appeared at the upcoming MDC Monaco sale, this is possibly the only example, lot 763 and a starting price of 30,000euros - need to win the lottery at the weekend! Plenty of gold ancients etc in the sale.
