Trajan augustus, 98 – 117.
Restored issue of Q. Minucius Thermus M. f. Denarius circa 112-113, AR 18 mm, 2.82 g. Helmeted head of Roma l. Rev. IMP CAES TRAIANVS AVG GER DAC P P Q THERM M F Two combating soldiers. RIC 774. CBN 1026 (modern forgery section). Woytek X22.
Apparently unique. A portrait of fine style, metal somewhat corroded, otherwise very fine
Ex Aureo & Calicò sale 310, 2018, 1063.
According to Woytek no genuine specimens of this issue existed at the time of publication of his corpus on the coinage of Trajan. The Vatican was supposed to have one specimen, but according to Woytek this coin is not present in the collection. The specimen listed in the CBN is an obvious forgery and listed as such. The authenticity of this specimen is beyond any possible doubt: the head of Mars is of excellent style, as you would expect for a restoration issue, and quite different from the Republican prototype. The light weight and poor quality of the metal are again quite consistent with the series and the oxidation and corrosion absolutely convincing. We must therefore conclude that this is a unique specimen confirming the existence of this restoration issue.
Price realized | 3'500 CHF 5 bids |
Starting price | 1'600 CHF |
Estimate | 2'000 CHF |