This is the second coin I won in the past Triskeles/VAuction sale. I had been looking for my upgrade for my current Trajan since I didn't really like the bust on the one I currently had. The original came when I had just started collecting and was buying almost anything that was ancient. I wasn't truly happy with the coin long term and now I have begun looking for coins that will be with me for many years to come. I find this coin appealing because of its dark green patina as well as the bust of Trajan. Trajan seems very hit and miss for his portraits on his coins. This will most likely be my last coin until my birthday. I am going to try and do some serious saving to try and buy a big coin. Trajan. A.D. 98-117. Æ as (27 mm, 10.46 g, 6 h). Rome, ca. A.D. 106/7. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust of Trajan right, wearing aegis S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C across field, Roma standing facing, head left, holding Victory and spear; at feet to left, Dacian kneeling in supplication right. Cf. RIC 486 (no aegis); Woytek 252c; cf. BMC 925-6 (bust); BN 605-6. I will include the sellers photo's as well
Very nice! I like this coin very much; however, having said that, the seller's images make the coin out to be in much better condition than your images. Which is truer to reality? Regardless, I like the coin and think you got a wonderful addition for your collection.
I suspect the white balance needs to be tweaked. I doubt the coin has that purplish hue. At any rate, it's a gorgeous piece. Just how many titles can you fit on a coin?! I have a respectable as of Trajan to share, but I'd rather have yours. Trajan, AD 98-117 AE As, 27mm, 10g, 12h; Rome mint: 101-2 Obv.: IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM PM; Laureate head right. Rev.: TR POT COS IIII PP / S-C; Victory walking left, holding palm branch and shield inscribed S P / Q R. Reference: RIC II Trajan 434 (p. 275)
Some of the blemishes aren't as noticeable on the sellers photo such as the ones on his neck. I just take junk pictures which is why I have been including the sellers photos now. Working on the whole colour thing. If only my parents lived a little closer, I just bought my dad a fancy camera for Father's Day.
Atta-boy, Manitoba => you're really crankin' out some winners lately (congrats, great addition) Whether it's purple or green => this dog can hunt!!
Just curious: Was the bust you did not like similar in style to John Anthony's as? There are two rather distinct portrait styles common for Trajan. Most people prefer the rounded and refined one like your new coin over the slightly brutish looking other style. If that was the issue, you might want to hold on to the first coin just in case you decide that you want to be able to illustrate both styles. My coins are not as nice as yours but these two sestertii illustrate the two styles.
You are correct Doug. In fact it is the same type as John's. It won't be going anywhere any time soon but eventually I will most likely get an upgrade for it.
This is quite a nice coin. What is especially good about it is that whoever cleaned it limited his/her efforts to smoothing, and resisted the impulse to re-engrave the devices to make them sharper. It's very well centered and all the detail is nicely visible, plus a nice obverse portrait with high relief and only minor wear for a coin that would have been widely circulated. A lot of times, small bronzes - asses and dupondii - can be overlooked and thus good-quality examples can be found at excellent prices. This is a great example of one. Nice purchase!
PHOENICIA, Tyre. Trajan AR Tetradrachm AD 98-117 Struck AD 110/1 Diameter: 27 mm Weight: 14.44 grams Obverse: Laureate head right; below, club left and eagle standing right with wings folded Reverse: Tyche seated right, foot set on river-god swimming to right below Reference: McAlee 470 (Antioch); Prieur 1498 Other: 7h ... VF, toned, some porosity, light scratches in field on obverse, slight die shift on reverse Trajan Æ Dupondius 98-117 AD Rome mint Struck circa AD 103-107 Diameter: 27 mm Weight: 13.39 grams Obverse: Radiate bust right, wearing aegis Reverse: Trophy with two shields at base Reference: RIC II 586; Woytek 196cA Other: 6h ... VF, green patina, numerous cleaning scratches on reverse Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection Ummm, yah I admit that this baby "may" have some smoothing, etc?? (sadly, I bought it before I was astute enough to detect the infamous AE Tomfoolery!!) Trajan, Bronze dichalkon Roman Provincial Egypt, unpublished variety 98 - 117 A.D. Struck: Alexandria mint (29 Aug 113 - 28 Aug 114 A.D.) Diameter: 13.7mm Weight: 1.23 grams Obverse: no legend, laureate head right Reverse: rhinoceros walking left, L I-Z (= year 17) above Reference: Emmett 719 var (rhino right) , BMC -, Dattari -, Milne Other: gVF, apparently unpublished variety of a rare type
I'm not a fan of Trajan portraits in general (especially the ones in the 'froggy' style), but this is a really nice one. Grats!
Steve I quite like all three of those Trajan's. I really like the types that are heavy on trophies/armour but have yet to buy one myself.
Around the SPQR and the CIPI the cleaner got a little overzealous but that is more nitpicky on my part than anything else.
