Naville Numismatics Ltd. > Auction 87Auction date: 11 February 2024
Lot number: 513

Price realized: 650 GBP   (Approx. 819 USD / 761 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description:


Trajan, 98-117 Sestertius Rome circa 107-108, Æ 34.00 mm., 24.43 g.
Laureate bust r, drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. Octastyle temple with portico on either side; within temple, figure of Jupiter seated facing; sculptural figures adorning architrave and roof. C 549. RIC 577.

Rare. Surface gently smoothed, otherwise Very fine

In addition to his stable government and military conquests that saw the expansion of the empire to its greatest extent, the emperor Trajan is also known for implementing beneficial social welfare policies and an extensive public building program that transformed much of Rome. The reverse of this fine middle aes issue shows the temple complex of Jupiter Victor, the 'giver of Victory', located in Regio X on the Palatine. According to Livy, the temple of Jupiter Victor had an ancient history, having been vowed by Q. Fabius Maximus Rullianus in 295 B.C. during the battle of Sentinum against the Samnites (Livy X.29.14, 18). It apparently was constructed quickly, being dedicated probably in either 294 or 293 B.C. on the Ides of April (April 13), as Livy makes the additional statement that at the battle of Aquilonia in 293 B.C. L. Papirius had vowed a cup of new wine to Jupiter Victor (Livy X.42.7). At some point the temple seems to have been either damaged or destroyed, probably during the great fire that ravaged Rome in A.D. 80, as it was restored under the emperor Domitian, who laid an artificial foundation for it and probably greatly expanded the original structure, which he commemorated on his coinage. The reason for Trajan's use of the type on his coins is not certain; it does not appear that he either restored the temple or added to its construction, so we should perhaps see its use a part of his decennalian series that was selected merely to represent his recent military prowess over. After all, he had just successfully finally subdued the Dacians, incorporating the former kingdom as a province to the empire. The temple was a large and imposing building in the Corinthian style with an octastyle façade. As seen on this coin, it featured colonnades at the sides, frontal steps, and within resided a great statue of Jupiter Victor. Sestertii of the same type show the addition of an altar before the steps and statues of Victory and Pax(?) before the end columns of the colonnade (Woytek 253). By the time of the emperor Elagabalus, the front courtyard had had a propylaea constructed before it, as can been seen on one of his medallions, now unfortunately lost (Gnecchi III, 6), and on later extremely rare sestertii and medallions of Severus Alexander. Under Elagabalus, the temple was re-dedicated to the sun god Sol El Gabal, but seemingly re-dedicated again under Severus Alexander to Jupiter Ultor.

Starting price: 170 GBP

Match 1:
Naville Numismatics Ltd. > Auction 86Auction date: 17 December 2023
Lot number: 473

Price realized: 380 GBP   (Approx. 483 USD / 442 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description:


Trajan, 98-117 Sestertius Rome circa 103-111, Æ 34.00 mm., 25.95 g.
Laureate bust r., drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. Roma standing l., holding Victory and spear. C 383. RIC 483.

Lovely untouched green patina with minor defects, Good Very Fine

Ex Glendining's sale 20 July 1960, 93 (part of). From the collection of a Mentor.


Starting price: 200 GBP

Match 2:
Naville Numismatics Ltd. > Auction 86Auction date: 17 December 2023
Lot number: 471

Price realized: 1,300 GBP   (Approx. 1,651 USD / 1,512 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description:


Trajan, 98-117 Sestertius Rome circa 107-110, Æ 33.00 mm., 27.40 g.
Laureate head r., drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. Bridge over the river Danube. C 542. RIC 569. Mazzini 542 (this coin).

Brown tone and Good Very fine

From the Mazzini collection.


Starting price: 250 GBP

Match 3:
Naville Numismatics Ltd. > Auction 88Auction date: 7 April 2024
Lot number: 432

Price realized: 120 GBP   (Approx. 151 USD / 140 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description:


Trajan, 98-117 As Rome circa 103-111, Æ 26.80 mm., 9.50 g.
Laureate bust r., drapery on far shoulder. Rev. Arabia standing facing, holding branch in r. hand and uncertain object in l., camel left in profile in distant background to left;in exergue, ARAB•ADQVIS. RIC 466.

Attractive brown tone, minor corrosions on rev., Good Very Fine.

Starting price: 70 GBP

Match 4:
Naville Numismatics Ltd. > Auction 87Auction date: 11 February 2024
Lot number: 511

Price realized: 240 GBP   (Approx. 302 USD / 281 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description:


Trajan, 98-117 Sestertius Rome circa 103-111, Æ 34.00 mm., 25.77 g.
Laureate bust r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. Victory standing r., l. foot on helmet, holding stylus in r. hand and resting l. on shield inscribed VIC / DAC set on palm. C 452 var. BMC 812. RIC 527.

Good Very fine

Starting price: 70 GBP

Match 5:
Naville Numismatics Ltd. > Auction 86Auction date: 17 December 2023
Lot number: 468

Price realized: 65 GBP   (Approx. 83 USD / 76 EUR)   Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description:


Trajan, 98-117 Denarius Rome circa 107-108, AR 18.00 mm., 3.44 g.
Laureate bust r., slight drapery. Rev. Trophy of arms set on stump, consisting of helmet at top with one round and two hexagonal shields; below, one curved sword and round shield to l., two spears and hexagonal shield to r. C 100. RIC 147b.

Old cabinet tone and About Extremely Fine.


Starting price: 45 GBP