A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman

Roman Imperial Coinage, Trajan, Sestertius, Rome, 103-11, laureate bust right, imp caes nervae traiano avg ger dac p m tr p cos v p p, rev. spqr optimo principi, ornate octastyle temple, figure of Pax (?) standing holding cornucopiæ between columns; on pediment, Jupiter (?) seated between reclining figures, five statues on roof, s c in exergue, 27.28g (RIC 575; C 552; Sear 3209). Lightly scored in front of face, otherwise good very fine and of accomplished style, brown patina with brassy high points, rare £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman.

View
Collection

Provenance: C.S. Bement Collection, Naville Auction VIII (Lucerne), 25-8 June 1924, lot 844; bt Baldwin March 1937.

Opinions vary as to the identification of the temple, described in the numismatic references as dedicated to Honos, Jupiter or Pax. While its identity remains uncertain, the high quality of engraving and superior condition of the current specimen may help eliminate some of the options