Just to clarify things - I'm not a dealer, seller or hobbyist - I would however like some information if possible. I found a roman coin in amongst a tin full of coins. It's about 32mm across the widest part & 2-3mm deep. It has a brassy look to it. One side has an emporer's head looking right with the following text round it IMPCAESNERVALTRAIANOnVGGERDACPMT - then I can't read the rest. The other side has the following text: FORTVN - can't read the rest until EDVC At the bottom is SC There is a seated woman? holding something in her left hand - she is facing left. I found a picture of what looks to be the same coin & the information with it was: "Ref Trajan AE Sestertius, RIC 628, Cohen 164, BMC 966 TRAJAN Æ Sestertius. Struck 113 AD. Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / Fortuna seated left, holding rudder & globe. Cohen 164." Any clues, history, explanation of inscription etc Thanks in advance Andy
I think you have the right coin.I can break down the inscription for you if you like. The full inscription on your coin is: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI PP IMPerator (general/commander) CAESar (king) from the family of NERVAE,first name TRAIANO (Trajan) AVG (augustus,senior emperor) ,next are the countries whose butts he kicked,GERmanica,DACia & Parthia Maximus. TRibunica Potesta (magistrate) COS (consul,high magistrate) for the VI (6th) time,Pater Populi (father of the people) The SC on the reverse means Senatus Consulto,or "by decree of the Senate" and FORTVNA REDVCI means the" return of fortune." Remember that there was no "U" in the latin alphabet so "V" was used for both,and no "J" so "I " was used..do you vnderstand?..haha
found it sitting in a tin? what is the condition? Thats a very nice coin. Is it worse or better condition than say this one of Antoninus Pius?
Just a friendly heads up, it could be counterfeit. Big Roman coins are worth a lot of money, the crooks and counterfeiters know this. Unless you are absolutely certain of it's origin there is always the chance. Post a picture if you can. I'd love to see it Take Care and Welcome Ben
Thanks to all for enlightening me. Mikjo0 - That's excellent information & just what I was after - it's incredible that there is so much info in a few letters. Drusus - I would say it's in slightly better condition than the one of Antoninus Pius. Bonedigger - I'm reasonably happy as to it's origin ( it came from an old man who sadly passed away) and along with it were some other interesting things like a 1609 Hans Krauwinckel jetton. I will try and get a pic done this weekend. All in all it's got me quite interested in collecting coins - amazing really. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't interested to know it's value though! Cheers
Well,ancient coins are sometimes hard to value.There are certain ones that go for fairly set prices but for most,it's just what the market will pay.The only listing for the coin you have is the one that You apparently found on Wildwinds,since your description is word for word from there.The auction info that goes with that coin (which is in REALLY nice condition) is here: 1190. TRAJAN. 98-117 AD. Æ Sestertius (24.14 gm). Struck 113 AD. Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and globe. RIC II 628; BMCRE 966; Cohen 164. VF, black patina, some smoothing, some of the details on the reverse slightly enhanced. ( est.$300) CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 1190. Lot sold for $800. Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com Personally I can't believe that anyone would pay $800 for this coin but who knows?..maybe they're very scarce.My rough guess on yours would be about $80--$150 ,about what it costs to get a VF Caligula or Hadrian sestertius.Nice coin.
A good condition sestersius of Trajan would sell for quite a lot of money, I would say you are low balling but this is just conjecture since I cant see the coin. Good condition Sestersius coins of all types sell for a lot these days...I assume its because they are large, have substance and are often the finest portraits. The coin you posted is in very fine condition and without doubt would go in the hundreds of dollars...
Drusus, Now that I think of it,I believe I did pay quite a bit for a couple of my nicer ones.I don't remember exactly but I think I paid around $190 for my Caligula and $150 for the Claudius.I've been admiring the one in your avatar.I didn't realize that a Trajan was rarer and more expensive because I don't have a sestertius of his,just a denarius and I think THAT was under $100.
Trajan images Here are the pics as promised - not brilliant but hopefully good enough for appraisal. Drusus - I'm now thinking that the coin is about the same as the Antonius Pius coin - but what's your opinion. Andy
Mikjoo, the Claudius As in my av was roughly 250 dollars...worth every penny but I know prices have risen from not long ago...Especialy on the nice larger coins... and I would have to agree with bonedigger that it is difficult to tell anything from that scan smiffey, any possible way you can get it a bit bigger? from what I can tell though, if authentic, it is well centered on a circular flag and seems to have rather good detail...
smiffey, I have posted this coin in a specialists forum and asked them to give opinion on its authenticity, I am not confident in my abilities on a coin like this that does not scream fake, I will let you know what they say...if authentic, its a great coin, well centered with a nice round flan and still with pretty good detailing.
Thanks Drusus. I would be a little surprised if it is a fake but would find it quite funny and not let it put me off on what now seems to be my new hobby! Smiffey
well, it looks fine to me, I was a bit worried about the fields that seem a bit pitted, wasnt sure if it was just wear of signs of casting but I would think, from the picture, it seems authentic. One thing you might want to do is look around the edges of the coin to see if there are any signs of casting such as a seam or evidence of filing on the edge to remove a seam. Otherwise would say that you have yourself a wonderful ancient sestersius of Trajan, not a bad start. This is roughly your coin but in much better shape, it sold for 2,300 USD Dont have a pic to post but ones that seem to compare to yours in condition seem to sell for anywhere between 100-300 USD...its worn but still shows decent detail and its well minted...I wouldnt expect much more than 100 USD give or take if you were to sell it.
Thanks Thanks to everyone who has provided good information and excellent advice to a complete beginner. I'll buy you all a pint when 'the big one' comes in.:smile Smiffey Now I also happen to have an 1897 Silver Dollar .....
Drusus :bow: Drusus - I think you are probably spot on with your estimation of the value for my coin. I put it on ebay at £100 (with a high reserve so that it didn't sell) and didn't get one bid or have any watchers - so that tells me something! Cheers
