The Roman Empire
Trajan, 98 – 117
Aureus circa 112-113, AV 7.25 g. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. Façade of Trajan’s Forum, formed by six columns; a central entrance, four niches containing statues; on top of the roof a facing quadriga between three statues on each side. In exergue, FORVM TRAIAN. C 167 var. (chariot of six horses). Jameson 92 (this coin). BMC 510. RIC 257. CBN 658 var. (chariot of six horses). Woytek 403f1 (this coin cited). Calicó 1030. Biaggi 492 (this coin).
Rare and among the finest specimens known of this intriguing issue. Perfectly centred
on a broad flan and with a wonderful reddish tone, about extremely fine Ex Hess-Leu 2, 1955, 86 and Astarte XIV, 2004, 412 sales. From the Jameson and Biaggi collections.

Many Roman emperors were fond of architecture, and consequently for striking coins with architectural types, but in this regard we must acknowledge that Trajan was the most prolific of them all. On this aureus we have a depiction of his marvellous forum, represented by the façade of its entrance. It appears as a building of six columns with its central entrance flanked by four distyle shrines, each containing a statue and situated beneath a circular shield. The roof supports an array of statues and statuary groups: in the centre is a facing chariot of six horses; the outermost horses are assisted by standing warriors, and the whole scene is flanked by military trophies and figures of Victory. The forum was dedicated in 112 or 113, the coin types presumably were struck in 115, and the final touches seemingly were completed about two years later. Trajan struck a variety of Imperial coins with architectural reverses, including many with identifiable statues and statuary groups, such as Trajan’s equestrian statue and the castellum of the Aqua Traiana. Foremost among his other architectural types are his basilica, the Circus Maximus, the ‘Danube bridge,’ a hexagonal harbour, a triumphal arch, Trajan’s Column, a richly ornamented gateway to Area Capitolina, the temple of Jupiter Victor and an octastyle temple which may be that of Honos, or perhaps the one eventually dedicated by Hadrian to Trajan and Plotina that occupied the end of the forum opposite the entrance depicted on this aureus.