Lot 103
Rome. Trajan, 98-117 AD. Gold Aureus (7.78 g), Rome, struck 99 AD. Laureate head of Trajan right. Reverse: Fortuna standing left, holding rudder with her right hand and cornucopiae with her left, at her feet to left, prow of galley; PONT MAX TR POT COS II. RIC 14; Biaggi 522; BMCRE 7; Calicó 1027b; C. 300; Hill 20. Sharply struck from fresh dies. Boldly lustrous, and virtually as struck, with the rich coloring of old-toned gold. Scarce. NGC graded Choice Uncirculated.
Trajan was proclaimed the heir and thus successor to the aged Nerva in October of 97 AD, while he was serving as governor of Germania Superior. He was still there when he was proclaimed emperor on Nerva's death in January 98 AD -- having to remain on the German frontiers awhile to settle affairs there before setting off for Rome. It wasn't until some time in 99 that he finally arrived in Rome. This coin commemorates his safe return to the city.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000.
Ex "Perfectionist Collection," Leu 93, 10 May 2005, lot 21; ex collection of N. B. Hunt, IV, Sotheby's 19 June 1991, 740.
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| Realized $35,650 |
