"Trajan's Gold Coinage AD 112-117," AJN 2007 more

AJN Second Series 19 (2007) pp. 77-129 © 2007 The American Numismatic Society Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plates 23-39 Martin Beckmann* This article uses a die study to establish a firm chronology for the aurei of the last six years of Trajan's reign. In addition to clarifying the dates of the various coin types, the die analysis makes specific contributions to our understanding of the poorly documented history of the period and to our comprehension of the internal workings of the Roman mint. The study builds on and extends an earlier investigation of the chronology of the later gold coinage of Trajan, which covered the period AD 112-114, to the death of the emperor in AD 117, while also adding new material from AD 112-114 and making important changes to the chronology of types from that period. Introduction: Chronological Overview In January 1, AD 112, Trajan assumed his sixth and final consulship; on the same date he dedicated his new Forum and Basilica complex. In AD 113, increasing troubles with Parthia over the kingship of Armenia led to open preparation for war by the Romans. Trajan left the capital to take personal command of the armies on the eastern front. In the summer of AD 114, Trajan advanced into Armenia and received the (unwitting) submission of Parthamasiris, a ruler appointed by the Parthians after they expelled the previous king, a Roman client. As a result of this bloodless victory, Trajan was saluted as Imperator for the seventh time by his soldiers and was named "Optimus" (The Best) by the Senate.1 Trajan wintered in * mbeckmann@wlu.ca 1. For details of the evidence for the chronology of these events, especially the dating of OPTIMUS to the fall of AD 114, see Beckmann (2000, 119-120). 77 78 Martin Beckmann the east (the exact location is unknown; Antioch, Edesa, or Nisibis are possibili- ties), then embarked in AD 115 on a campaign against Parthia, which occupied him until just before his death in August of AD 117. The sequence of events in this war is obscure, especially since our fullest source, Cassius Dio, exists only in fragments preserved in the work of the Byz- antine epitomator Xiphilinus. At best a broad outline can be sketched.2 Trajan advanced in the summer of AD 115 into northern Mesopotamia, which he sub- dued before returning to Antioch for the winter. There he survived a destructive earthquake.3 On February 20, AD 116, laureatae missae (laurelled dispatches) were received from Trajan by the Senate in Rome, bearing news of his Mesopota- mian victories.4 As a direct result of these letters being received in Rome, Trajan was given the new title "Parthicus."5 Sacrifices were made throughout Rome and circus games were held for three days. Trajan appears to have renewed his attack in AD 116, but revolts in the conquered territories forced him to turn back. By AD 117, Trajan was apparently so ill that he abandoned plans for a further campaign and set out on a return trip to Rome. He died along the way, in Cilicia on the southern coast of modern Turkey, in August. According to the Historia Augusta, Trajan adopted Hadrian on his deathbed and sent a letter to that effect to his new son in Syria, where he was acting as governor (SHA Hadrian 4.6). Two days later, Hadrian received a letter informing him that Trajan had died, officially making him emperor (SHA Hadrian 4.7). Method The numismatic chronology presented below is founded on a die study of aurei from public collections, hoards, and auction catalogues. It was possible to gather a total of 581 coins covering the period AD 114-117; in addition, by increasing the number of public collections in the sample and by incorporating material from the large Arquennes and Trier hoards, it was possible to add 110 coins to the corpus of 256 coins used for the earlier study of the period AD 112-114. This brought the total number of coins in the die study to 947, yielding a ratio of 4.6 coins for 2. Longden (1931) presents the most thorough discussion of the evidence and the prob- lems involved; see also Lightfoot (1990), Bennett (2001, 192-196), and Griffin (2000). 3. The date appears to be established by Dios mention (68.25.1) of the death of Pedo, consul ordinarius for AD 115, in the earthquake. 4. Fasti Ostienses K.14-17: [I?] X k. Mart. Laureatae missae ad sen[atum ab imp] / Traia- no Aug(usto) ob q[u]am causam Par[thicus appell(atus)] / [e]t pro salute eius s(enatus) c(onsultum) f(actum) et supp(licationes) [per omnia delu-] / [b]ra et ludi facti V, IIII, pr. k. M[art. - circ(enses)]). 5. Thus "Parthicus" cannot have been awarded for Trajan's capture of Ctesiphon, as thought for example by Lightfoot (1990, 120, 123). Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 79 each obverse die identified (the ratio for reverse dies, which, strangely, are less numerous, is 3.7 coins per die). The die link sequence from January AD 112 to early AD 113 is continuous, with very few outlying coins that cannot be linked in; the sequence from AD 113 to 117 is more fragmentary. Nevertheless, continuing types and die sharing between distinct chronological groups makes it possible to reconstruct a firm linear chronology of types. The study is presented in three parts. The first part explains revisions to the chronology of the coinage of the years AD 112-114. The second section lays out in detail the chronology of the types of the gold coinage between AD 114-117. The third and final part focuses on what the die study can reveal about the organization and operation of the Roman mint in the early second century AD. Part1:RevisionstotheChronologyoftheTypesofAD112-114 Most of the 110 new coins added to the database of 256 aurei already collected for the years AD 112-114 represent known dies and known links. New dies (shown in bold italic on the die-link charts following) were relatively few: eight new obverse and eight new reverse dies were added to the eighty-two obverse and seventy-sev- en reverse dies already identified. New links (shown as dotted lines on the charts) almost always reinforced the sequence already established, either by duplicating known links or by creating new links between coins that already stood close to- gether in the sequence. In three cases, however, new and important evidence was added. This evidence suggests, among other things, that Trajan Senior was deified in January AD 112; that the troubles with the Parthians began not in late AD 113, as generally thought, but rather much earlier in the year (in or before May); and that the Profectio Augusti type of AD 114 is connected with Trajan's activities in Armenia rather than his departure from Rome. The first conclusion stems from a new link between reverse Pi (Pater Traia- nus) and obverse C4. Previously, all but one of the many reverse dies commemo- rating Pater Traianus and Nerva appeared to link in near the middle or later part of the AD 112 sequence. The one exception, N6, linked in (alone) near the very beginning. I suggested that N6's link to this part of the sequence may have been fortuitous, the result of the reuse of an older obverse die to strike the new type. The newly found Pi link, also at the start of the AD 112 sequence, shows that this was not the case. So does newly found evidence of die wear on N6. This die is linked to obverse die a20, which it shares with a number of other reverses. In the N6/a20 combination, obverse die a20 is very fresh; in the Vi/aio combination (e.g., Brussels, du Chastel 499), a20 is markedly worn (especially at the end of the lower wreath tie). This means that a20 was not "lying about," as suggested earlier, but rather that reverse die N6 must be contemporary to reverse die V2 and its as- sociates, struck therefore at the beginning of AD 112. 80 Martin Beckmann There is also a marked similarity in style between reverse dies N6 and Pi. Uniquely among N reverse dies, N6 has Nerva on the right and Traianus Pater on the left. The busts are also larger and more detailed than on any other N die. Similarly, reverse die Pi is unique in comparison to the other dies of the Pater Traianus series: it has the largest bust of Trajan Senior and the smallest and most carefully executed lettering of the series. The die links clearly demonstrate that N6 and Pi were the first of their types and were both struck at the very beginning of AD 112, together with types showing the Forum, Basilica Ulpia, and the Equus Traianus. Therefore, it seems that the deification of Trajan's blood father coincided with the dedication of his monumental Forum complex. On the silver coinage of this period (BMC Trajan, 500), there appears a depiction of a togate figure seated facing left, on a curule chair, leaning on a staff and extending a. patera in his right hand. The type, as our P series, bears the legend DIVVS PATERTRAIANus, and may very well represent a cult statue dedicated to Trajan senior on the occasion of his deification, perhaps in the temple of Divine Nerva. Incidentally, this new link also poses significant questions about our under- standing of the mint between AD 112 and 113. As the die-link charts show, the very first issues of AD 112 consisted of reverse types of the Forum, Basilica, Equus, and Via Traiana, along with Divus Pater Traianus and Nerva, all struck using ob- verse dies carrying dative-case legends (marked by underlining in the charts). This use of the dative case was carried over from the COS V DES VI coinage that im- mediately preceded it. But very soon a separate series of nominative-case obverses was produced and used exclusively with Pater Traianus and Nerva reverses (the reason was apparently to be sure that the cases on both sides of the coins matched). About halfway through the sequence, the dative-case obverses were abandoned altogether and nominative-case obverses were used for all reverse types. Perhaps the mint was divided for a period of months into two sections, one striking Trajan Senior and Nerva types and the other striking all the rest, or perhaps obverse dies were simply kept carefully separate until at some point it was decided that this was not necessary. The second important contribution of new links and types involves the Col- umn of Trajan reverse. Previously, only one single Column die (Ci) linked into the Group 2 sequence. Since then, not only has one new Column die been found (C5), but also an important new link, between reverse J4 (Jupiter Conservator) and obverse C2, which serves to tie three Column dies (Ci, C2, and C5) together into one tight group. These dies are not scattered along the sequence, but rather, as with the Via Traiana (Vi and V2) reverses at the beginning of Group 1, cluster together, suggesting that they were struck at much the same time. The occasion for this striking was almost certainly the dedication of the Column. This occurred later than that of the Forum complex of which it was a part, most likely in May AD Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 81 113, following the fragmentary evidence of the Fasti Ostienses. These three linked dies give clear evidence of a special issue directly connected to the dedication of the Column, exactly as the Forum, Basilica, and Equus types were issued immedi- ately in January AD 112. This has important implications for the dating of the beginning of Group 2 issues (it is now clear that Group 3, sharing many types of Group 2 but not that of the Column, is later; see below). Group 2 is composed almost exclusively of military types (Standards) and types appealing to the gods for protection for the emperor and a successful outcome of his undertakings (Jupiter as Conservator Patris Patriae, Fortuna Redux, and Bonus Eventus). The Column reverses are the only exception to this theme. The break between Groups 1 and 2 is complete, and continuing types show that these groups followed each other in chronological se- quence. This evidence raises the question as to when the break between Groups 1 and 2 occurred. The inclusion of the Column as a major type suggests that Group 2 began in or before May AD 113. The types of Group 2 (aside from the Column) were clearly inspired by the outbreak of hostilities with Parthia, caused by a dis- pute over the kingship of Armenia. The third new conclusion involves two new die links at the very end of the AD 112-114 sequence, in Group 3. Both involve a single reverse die, RP (Rex Parthus)i. The first is the link of the single RPi with the main sequence of Group 3 through the die combination j6/b20. The second is the link of this very same die, RPi, with the later OPTIMUS coinage, where it appears again (Group C, die RPi). The same die was used to strike coins both before and after Trajan received his new title Optimus. This was possible because the reverse die RPi bears only a descrip- tive legend, "Rex Parthus," and no imperial titles. Thus it could be freely used with any obverse without the danger of contradiction. This demonstrates conclusively that Group 3 is later than Group 2. What is more, Group 3 also contains the only PROFECTIO AUGusti die (PRi), the first such depiction in fact ever to appear on the Roman coinage. This type also continues, in greater number, in the late OPTIMVS coinage (Groups C and D). Both these types are linked in Group C (the earliest OPTIMVS group) with coins celebrating Trajan as IMPERATOR VII, thus tying all four events (Imperial salutation, Rex Parthus, Profectio, and award of OPTIMVS) to the surrender of the Parthian king Parthamasiris to Trajan in Armenia in AD 114 (see below, in discus- sion of Group C). Thus the Profectio die PRi in Group 3 cannot represent Trajan's departure from Rome for the east. Instead, it may represent his departure from the borders of the empire and the start of his campaign against Parthia by his invasion of Armenia. This impression is increased by the fact that die PRi is very different from all later Profectio dies, being executed with much more care in a finer style, marking it out as the first of its kind to have been cut. 82 Martin Beckmann This new chronology for Groups 2 and 3 is reinforced by patterns in obverse die types. The major die link sequence of Group 2, which includes the Column dies, uses almost without exception "a"-type obverse dies (with smooth line of drapery over Trajan's shoulder). Group 3, on the other hand, uses only "b"-type obverse dies (with cloak clasped at shoulder); this is also the very same type of obverse die that dominates in Group C, which immediately follows Group 3 in chronological order. Part 2: The Coin Types of AD 114-117 and Their Chronology The coinage of AD 114-117 falls into two broad groups, defined by the employ- ment of the titles OPTIMUS (awarded in the summer or fall of AD 114) and PARTHICVS (awarded in Rome on February 19 or 20 AD 116). Each of these broad groups can be further divided into two smaller groups, based on their obverse and reverse legends. They are listed below using Mattingly s group labels (BMC Trajan, lxi). Mattingly's Groups A and B, which he based on the case (nominative or da- tive) of the obverse legend, have proved to be invalid (Beckmann 2000); Groups C through F, however, are clear and unproblematic. I have added dates for each group as suggested by the die study; the specific grounds for these conclusions are discussed below. The obverse type is always bust of Trajan facing right, mostly cuirassed and draped, sometimes bare with aegis and very rarely only draped (the variations in bust type, even the remarkable aegis variety, seem to have no special significance; see part 3 below). Group C. Dating: late AD 114. Obv. IMP TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P. Rev. COS VI P P S P Q R or descriptive reverse. RP = Rex Parthus (1 die, which links to pre-OPTIMUS coinage Group 3) FR = Fortuna Redux (2 dies) J = Jupiter Conservator (4 dies) BE = Bonus Eventus (3 dies) I = Imperator VII (1 die) PR = Augusti Profectio (2 dies, one of which die links to Group D) Group D. Dating: early AD 115 to late February AD 116. The Profectio type dates to the very beginning of the period; Providentia, Regna Adsignata, and Sol types date to the very end of this range. Obv. IMP CAES NERTRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC. Rev. P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R or descriptive reverse. PR = Augusti Profectio (1 die, which links to Group C) FR = Fortuna Redux (23 dies) Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 83 J = Jupiter Conservator (10 dies) BE = Bonus Eventus (14 dies) SA = Salus Augusti (5 dies, a new type) V = Vota Suscepta (2 dies, a new type that carries on to Group E) P = Providentia (1 die, a new type that also carries on to Group E) RA = Regna Adsignata (3 dies, one of which die links to Group E) S = Sol (1 die, which links to Group F) Group E. Dating: March AD 116 to August(?) AD 117 (end date not certain; Regna Adsignata type certainly, Providentia and Vota Suscepta likely date to the very beginning of this period). Obv. IMP CAES NERTRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER DAC PARTHICO. Rev. P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R or descriptive reverse. RA = Regna Adsignata (4 dies, one of which links to Group D) S = Sol (2 dies) P = Providentia (1 die) V = Vota Suscepta (1 die) PC = Parthia Capta (12 dies) Group E Dating: March AD 116 to August AD 117. Obv. IMP CAES NERTRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC. Rev. PARTHICO P MTR P COS VI P P S P Q R (in one case, HADRIANOTRAIA- NO CAESARI). S = Sol (23 dies) H = Hadrian Caesar (1 die) Group C is the smallest, with only thirteen reverse and fifteen obverse dies. It is clearly the earliest chronologically, since die RPi links to the pre-OPTIMVS coin- age of Group 2. All types are carried over from Groups 2 and 3, with the exception of the type celebrating Trajan's seventh imperial acclamation. Dio (68.19) informs us that this acclamation took place while Trajan was in Armenia, the occasion be- ing the submission of the Parthian king Parthamasiris of Armenia at Elegeia. The submission of Parthamasiris is surely what is meant by the Rex Parthus type; the Latin label points out the king, shown in a submissive pose before Trajan, who is seated upon a platform and accompanied by his army. We can now step back and consider the sequence of Group 3 and Group C types. Since Rex Parthus die RPi in pre-OPTIMVS Group 3 links to (many) dies in Group C, it can be assumed that it was the last die of Group 3 cut. Therefore, pre- sumably the Profectio die in Group 3 refers to Trajan's setting out from the border of the Roman Empire to invade Armenia, which he soon subdued without fighting 84 Martin Beckmann and where at Elegeia he received the submission of Parthamasiris. The news of this submission presumably reached Rome shortly after that of Trajan's Profectio into Armenia and was immediately commemorated on the coinage. Almost immedi- ately, the Senate granted Trajan the title OPTIMVS, which then required new coin dies—with the exception of the die RPi, which did not bear any imperial titles and thus still could be used with the new OPTIMVS obverses without causing any contradictions. Group D is much larger, with sixty reverse and seventy-four obverse dies. Its chronological place after Group C is clear, since it has one die (PRi) that links to the earlier group. What occasioned the change (involving the addition of CAES NER to the obverse legend and the shifting of P M TR P to the reverse) is not clear. It may have been simply a decision of aesthetics: the short reverse legend of Group C (resulting from the need to move OPTIMUS to the obverse when it became part of Trajan's name) required larger letters and greater spacing between them, leading to a less unified design. The longer reverse legend of Group D acted more effectively as an epigraphic frame for the coin types. The short duration of Group C suggests that Group D begins late in AD 114 or very early in 115. The standard types of Fortuna Redux, Bonus Eventus, and Jupiter Conservator still dominate Group D (making up forty-eight of sixty reverse dies), but five new types also appear. The most striking is that of Salus Augusti, showing the goddess (labeled SALVS AVG) seated on a throne, holding a patera over an altar around which a snake is coiled. Salus was not an uncommon type on the Roman coinage and had already appeared on earlier bronze issues of Trajan between AD 103 and 111. However, this time the goddess is specifically labeled as SALVS AVGusti, a spe- cific invocation of Salus to intercede for the emperor's health. What is more, Salus is closely linked to the rarer type Vota Suscepta (dies S3 and Vi share obverse dies with FR7). This greatly strengthens Strack's (1931,227) suggestion that these coins represent vows for his health and safe return made to Jupiter by the Senate and the People after the fashion of those made for Augustus and commemorated on his coinage in 16 BC (showing inscribed in an oak wreath: Iovi Optimo Maximo senatus populusque Romanus vota suscepta pro salute Imperatoris Caesaris; BMC Augustus, 92; RIC2, 358). The iconography of Trajan's votive coins reflects exactly such an event: the Senate and the People, shown as personifications standing left and right of a small altar, are in the act of pouring libations. The emperor's health problems were serious enough to make a fairly major appearance on the coinage (Salus is represented by five dies, the Vota by two). These coins make it necessary to reassess the timing of the beginning of Trajan's health problems and of the vows commemorated. Dio (68.31-33) puts the first instance of Trajan's illness in the last year of his life, immediately following the siege of Hatra, which he was forced to give up in the fall of AD 116. Group D, how- Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 85 ever, ends with the award of the title PARTHICVS, which occurred much earlier, in February AD 116. The Fasti Ostienses record a senatus consultum and "sacrifices made in all temples, and circus games" (supplicationes per omnia delubra et ludi circenses) made "for his health" (pro salute eius) after Trajan was named Parthicus (Fasti Ostienses K.14-17). But the coin evidence makes it clear that vows were made for the emperors health well before he was given the title Parthicus. There- fore the emperor must have fallen into ill health already in AD 115, perhaps even during the winter of 114/115. There is unfortunately a break in the Fasti between spring AD 113 and the later summer of 115, so that they cannot aid in dating the event. Although the die sequence of Group D is not complete, more than half the known dies do link together in one sequence, and Salus dies (and one Vota Sus- cepta, Vi) appear throughout it. This suggests that these two types were in use for most of the time that Group D was being struck. The next new type is Providentia. The goddess stands facing left, leaning on a pillar, her left hand holding a staff and her right arm extended over a globe decorat- ed with the band of the zodiac, which lies at her feet. She is labeled PRO(videntia) AVG(usti), or "the Foresight of the Emperor." Mattingly suggested that this "fore- sight" marked Trajan's selection of Hadrian as his heir, but this seems unlikely since Hadrian's first appearance on the coinage (as Caesar in Group F) occurs much later. It is more likely to have been intended to invoke—or honor?—Trajan's careful planning of his campaigns and the expansion of the empire (Armenia was already a new province, and more were soon to come). It also seems to be closely connected to whatever event led to the coining of the Regna Adsignata type: both Pi and RAi share the same single obverse die. The historical occasion for the Regna Adsignata type has never been clear. Dio (68.18) records that when Trajan entered Armenia, foreign kings began to approach him with gifts. The dating (AD 114), however, does not correspond with our coins. Eutropius (Breviarum 8.3) mentions Trajan giving a king to the Alba- nians after securing Armenia, and receiving the kings of many other lands, but there is no clear indication of date. The close connection of the Regna Adsignata type with the award of the title Parthicus (the type continues in Group E) suggests that the regna were assigned at about the time when Trajan completed his con- quests of AD 115. It is possible that news of these victories were included the con- tent of the laureatae missae, the "laurelled letters" mentioned by the Fasti as sent to Rome by Trajan on February 20, AD 116 (Fasti Ostienses K.14). Trajan's victories in the east were also most likely the occasion for the new type showing the radiate bust of Sol, the sun god, which forms almost the entire bulk of Group F. At the end of Group D, along with Regna Adsignata (RA, three dies), is Sol (S, one die). These types certainly come at the end of the Group D sequence, since dies of each type (two of the former and one of the latter) link to obverses of Groups 86 Martin Beckmann E and F, which bear Trajan's new title Parthicus (RA2 and RA3 links to Group E, where they are catalogued below as dies RA3 and RAi, and Si links to Group F, where it is die S5). The pattern of introduction of new coin types at this point, i.e., the division between Group D and Groups E and F, appears very similar to that which occurred at the point of division between Group 3 and Group C, when Tra- jan was awarded the title Optimus. There, the event for which Trajan received his new title (the submission of the Parthamasiris) appeared in the coinage just before the new title did. Here, two types connected to Trajan's successes in Mesopotamia appear on the coinage just before he is awarded the title Parthicus. One of these types, Oriens, then goes on to constitute the single most common type of Trajan's coinage between February AD 116 and his death in 117. Groups E and F follow immediately on Group D, as is shown by the shared die links discussed above. Their place at the end of the chronological sequence of Trajan's coinage is assured by the appearance on them of the title Parthicus, awarded in February AD 116. Group E, the smaller of the two with thirty obverse and twenty reverse dies, is marked by the PARTH ICO on the obverse, which is used with a moderately broad range of reverse types. Regna Adsignata, Sol, Providentia, and Vota Suscepta all continue from the coinage of Group D, although only Regna Adsignata appears to have been given a place of some importance, with four dies. The main reverse type of Group E is a new one: Parthia Capta. This type shows two captives in mourning poses seated at the base of a trophy. The bows and quivers at their feet mark them as Parthians, as does the legend PARTHIA CAPTA below. Very popular, this type is represented by twelve dies. Group F, on the other hand, is markedly different in its composition, in ad- dition to being notably larger (forty-five obverse and twenty-four reverse dies). In contrast to Group E, the title Parthicus appears on the reverse rather than the obverse, and the entire group is dominated by one single type: Sol, shown as a draped bust of a young man wearing a radiate crown. The type is represented by twenty-three reverse dies, the most of any type within a single group in this study. Although Strack (1931, 229) argues that the type cannot have connoted victory, given Hadrian's willingness to repeat the type though he had given up Trajan's conquests in the east, this conclusion is nonetheless difficult to avoid. Its intimate connection to the award of the Trajan's new title Parthicus and its extensive use on the coinage makes a victorious meaning the most likely. Hadrian's use of the type maybe explained as an attempt to spread a message of continuity and of security in the eastern provinces—a much-needed signal, given the multiple military crises he faced at the start of his reign.6 6. See Birley (1997, 77-81) on the challenges facing Hadrian at the beginning of his reign. My thanks to a reviewer of the AJN for pointing out this reference. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 87 There is only one other reverse type in Group F, and it is represented by a single die: Hadrian as Caesar (Hi). This shows a partly draped bust of the new Caesar wearing a laurel wreath with the legend HADRIANO TRAIANO CAESARI. Until very recently, this type was only known from a single example, which was lost in the robbery of the Paris cabinet in 1831; only a cast was preserved. A second specimen has since appeared on the market (see catalogue), struck from the same dies and allowing a better impression to be had of style and fabric. Both seem to be very good, corresponding closely with that known for the late portraits of Trajan and the early issues of Hadrian. There is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the piece. Its chronology is a different matter. Unfortunately, the single obverse die known for this type (fi8) does not link into the main sequence of Group F dies, so it is still not possible to definitively dispel the suspicion that this type may have actually been struck after Trajan's death. The most important question is whether there is any chronological difference between Groups E and F. From the die study, it appears not. Mattingly argued that F is "no doubt" later than E, based on reverse types. In his opinion, E ran from ear- ly 116 to the end of that year and F from late 116 to August 117 "and refers to some of Trajan's last schemes, when his eyes were turned to the farthest East" (BMC, lxii). Strack (1931, 38-39) favored this order too, with the change occurring in the winter of AD 116/7. From the perspective of the gold coins in this study, it appears that Groups E and F were essentially contemporary issues. From D to E there are direct die links via the Regna Adsignata type (both RA2 and RA3 of Group D are also used to strike coins with Parthicus obverses in Group E), plus two shared types, Vota Suscepta and Providentia. From D to F there is a direct die link via Si (Group D) / S5 (Group F). Group F is almost entirely made up of the type showing the bust of Sol; E is a mix but does have two Sol dies. It would seem that at the end of Group D, Oriens and Regna Adsignata were created as new types. The coinage then split into two series, one focused on Sol and the other on Parthia Capta. Epigraphic considerations may lie behind this split. It would have been redun- dant to use the Parthico reverse legend with a reverse type labeled Parthia Capta; therefore Parthicus was shifted to the obverse on these issues. The Group E Parthi- cus obverses were the only choice possible to pair with the Regna Adsignata type, which had only a descriptive legend on the reverse. Chronologically, there is no difference whatsoever in the legends between Groups E and F: in each case Trajan's name is spelled out IMP CAES NERTRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER(M) DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P. The only differences are cosmetic: Group F adds an M to GER on the obverse and splits Trajan's name after DAC instead of after PARTHICO on Group E. The situation may have been similar to that which occurred for the first half of the Group 1 sequence in AD 112. There, after a brief period of all types being struck together, the mint established two concurrent series of production: 88 Martin Beckmann one using a nominative-case obverse to strike reverse types of the Deified Nerva and Trajan Senior, the other using dative-case obverse dies to strike all other types (Forum, Basilica, etc.). At the beginning of AD 112, the dative case was standard for obverse legends, being carried over from the coinage of AD 111. New nomina- tive-case obverse legends seem to have been introduced only so that they would correspond to the nominative-case legends on the Nerva and Trajan Senior dies. Part 3: Minting Practice The die study sheds light on some of the working methods of the Roman mint in the early second century AD. One is evidence for a previously unnoticed practice, in some cases at least, in the creation of dies: that of cutting "archetypal dies" when a new reverse type was introduced. These dies are characterized by being much more carefully executed in a much finer artistic style than all other dies of their type. The inscription is also usually much clearer, appearing in smaller and more regularly cut letters. In Group 1, dies Pi and N5 clearly fit these qualifications; what is more, they are shown by die links to be the first of their types to have been employed, likely in January of AD 112. Forum die F7 is most likely another example. Its overall quality is not so clearly superior to its fellows, but it does show details of the sculpture atop the facade that do not appear on any other Forum dies (Beckmann 2005). In Group 2, die C5 is by far the most true to the original detail of the Column of Trajan, and J3 from the same group is much more finely executed than others of its type (note especially the relatively larger proportions of the emperor and his carefully rendered toga). Profectio die PRi in Group 3, the first appearance of this type in the Roman coinage ever, is also of markedly higher quality than other examples seen later, as is Salus die SA5 in Group D. It seems likely that a master engraver was engaged for the task of cutting these archetypal reverse dies. He may have come from within the mint (perhaps nor- mally engaged on the more demanding task of cutting obverse dies), or he may have been a specialist engraver or gem cutter brought in from outside. But this model does not apply for every new type. Of the many dies showing Sol, for in- stance, none is so strikingly superior as to make one think of the work of a master engraver. In particular, we would expect to see his hand on die Si in Group D ( = S5 in Group F), presumably the first appearance of the type in our sequence. The explanation may be that there already existed a number of models for the bust of Sol on earlier coins, particularly of Augustus. The case of die BEAi in Group 3 is harder to understand. It is perhaps the most artistic of all dies in this study, a bril- liantly near-three-dimensional rendering of Bonus Eventus in three-quarters view. At the same time, it is clearly not the first Bonus Eventus die to have been used: it is only two links removed from RPi, a die used in Trajan's Optimus coinage, and therefore could not have stood as a model for the Bonus Eventus dies of Group 2. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 89 For this, as in the case of Sol, there were other models available from the coinage of earlier emperors. The inclusion of the altar on the BEA dies may have been signifi- cant: this was not a standard feature of earlier depictions of Bonus Eventus. The die study helps shed some light on the significance of different obverse bust types. The most common bust type of the period is cuirassed and draped. The draped bust is uncommon in Groups 1 and 2 and very rare in Groups C through E The bust with aegis is uncommon or rare everywhere but in Group D, where there are ten examples (of a total of seventy-three obverse dies, one is draped and the others are all cuirassed and draped). The die sequence of Group D makes it clear that the aegis busts cluster together chronologically (they are underlined on the die link charts for Group D): dies d6, 31, 29, and 39 all link together with reverses FR10 and FR9; obverses di9 and 30 with SA3; and obverses d.4 and 64 with FRi. Do these represent special issues of some sort? The sheer quantity of dies suggests not, as does the fact that these aegis-bust clusters all link into the normal sequence of dies rather than standing alone. It seems more likely that the suggestion of Ber- hard Woytek is correct: the differences in bust type represent the exercise of lim- ited artistic freedom by the die engravers (B. Woytek, personal communication). Some remarks on the quantity of coin production can be made. Based on the dates for the various groups suggested above, a calculation using the total number of obverse and reverse dies yields the following ratios of dies per month: Groups 1-3: 8.7 dies/month Group C: 9.3 dies/month Group D: 10.1 dies/month Groups E and F: 6.8 dies/month These figures speak for a steady increase in production of aurei from Group 1 through to Group D. In fact, there was most likely a greater increase than these figures indicate, since the die-link charts suggest that while most dies of Group 1 have likely been identified (the die-link sequence is complete and there are very few coins that do not link into it), for later groups there are a larger number of dies that are not represented in the sample. In particular, Groups D, E, and F exhibit broken sequences and numerous unlinked coins and small groups of coins. An- other factor also speaks for increased coin production in Groups C through F: die wear. In the period AD 112-114, die wear is almost unknown on the gold coin- age. From the period AD 114-117 on the other hand, die wear is almost common (instances are noted in the catalogue). In some cases it is even possible to trace the progress of die damage through a series of links. These factors point to a substantial increase in the volume of the coining of gold that occurred in or after the year AD 114. This increase was so great that it apparently strained the capabilities of the mint staff to maintain their accustomed 90 Martin Beckmann level of quality control, as dies were used well beyond the point where they would have been discarded during the earlier period AD 112-114. It would make sense to associate this increase with Trajan's war with Parthia and the increased expenses connected with the massive troop buildup and military supply and administration necessary for the invasion. In this context, the sharp drop in the ratio of dies per month in the contempo- rary Groups E and F is striking. Also odd is the ratio of obverse dies to reverse dies in these two groups. In Groups 1-3 it is 1.1 to 1; in Group C, 1.2 to 1; in Group D, 1.3 to 1; in Group E, 1.5 to 1; in Group F, 1.9 to 1. It is normal to have more reverse than obverse dies, since the latter are usually set firmly in an anvil and less suscep- tible to damage, thus needing replacement less often. The slightly higher obverse to reverse ratio in Groups 1-3 may perhaps be explained by more care being taken to scrutinize the obverse dies for signs of damage, since they bore the portrait of the emperor. In these groups, there is very little evidence of wear or damage to obverse dies. The ratio in Group F, with nearly twice as many obverse dies attested as reverse, is very difficult to explain. One possibility that would potentially make sense is that some obverse dies were used for both gold and silver, but this is ex- ceedingly rare in this period, and I have found only one example, from Group E, of an aureus die being used to strike a denarius.7 In fact, most denarius obverse dies bear an entirely different portrait type from that common on the aurei (bare or draped versus cuirassed and draped), ruling out most possibilities of die sharing. It is possible that some chance of preservation has skewed the sample and that there are in fact many more reverse dies awaiting discovery. Finally, the die study also sheds light on what happened to the coins after they left the mint. The method of coin distribution from Rome to the provinces is large- ly unknown, but it is already well known that the coin population over the entire empire was not homogenous, particularly when the relative rarity of individual coin types is considered.8 For example, one coin type maybe common in Gaul but rare in Dacia. This suggests not only that coins did not circulate between regions with complete fluidity but also that different regions received shipments of coins of different natures. The die study furnishes some important evidence to support and clarify this concept, in the form of die links within three major hoards: Liberchies, Arquennes, and Trier. The Liberchies Hoard has three instances of two coins being struck from the same pair of obverse and reverse dies (BEi/d2, FRi7/d5i, Vi/eg). The Arquennes Hoard also has three instances of two coins struck from same pair of dies: S/|./d33, S8/T25, J7/CI58 (there are also some linked groups: see BE11 and 7. The shared die is e23, bust with aegis, reverse Sol. Frank Sternberg Auction Oct. 23, 29, 2000, lot 502. 8. See Duncan-Jones (2005, 471-476) and references cited there. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 91 BE12 in Group D). In the great Trier Hoard, there are two cases of two coins shar- ing the same obverse and reverse dies (BE2/dn and VI/d45) and a number of coin pairs that share the same reverse (FR2 in Group C; FR7, FR9, and Vi in Group D). This situation, especially the appearance of pairs of coins struck from the very same dies, is remarkable—unknown, in fact, in any other large collection of aurei of the period except for that of the British Museum.9 For this to happen, the origi- nal coin population from which the hoard was drawn would have had to contain unusually large numbers of certain issues struck from the same dies. This suggests that coins were shipped from Rome to their intended destination in the provinces in batches made up of issues struck over a short period. Consider the pairs S4/d33 and J7/CI58 from the Arquennes Hoard: not only are there two coins from each die pair in the hoard, but these four dies were also clearly in use in the mint more or less at the same time (see the die-link charts for Group D). Quite possibly, all four coins were struck at Rome, parceled together with many others and sent, perhaps as a military payment, to Gallia Belgica. All the coins are fairly worn, indicating that they circulated but did not leave the province. Instead they remained in use in roughly the area where they were sent, until they found their way into the hoard. Conclusions Trajan's gold coinage of AD 114-117 continued the tradition, already clearly in place in the earlier period AD 112-114, of responding to major historical and po- litical events with timely changes in numismatic iconography. The immediacy and specificity of this iconography speaks for the importance of coinage as a bearer of official messages. At the same time, the die study also reveals the effects of the stress of war on the Roman mint. Common types are cut in remarkably large num- bers, and variations in the quality of die execution are often striking. The demands of war can also be seen in the increasing frequency of die wear and damage, in- dicating that mint production increased dramatically. The resulting picture of the workings of the Roman mint in the last years of Trajan's reign is complex, but this is exactly what should be expected in an institution that had both economic and political functions of the highest importance. Acknowledgments My research was funded by the 2005/2006 Travel Scholarship of the International Numismatic Commission; I gratefully acknowledge the Commission's support, without which this work could not have been done. The actual collection of the material was only possible with the kind and generous help of many curators and scholars. For their hospitality, in rough order of my visits, I would like to thank 9. Die pairs PV1/CL41 (BMC 582 and 587) andSi5/f4 (BMC 622 and 623). 92 Martin Beckmann Michel Amandry (Paris); Adrian Popescu and Ted Buttrey (Cambridge); Richard Abdy (London); Donal Bateson (Glasgow); Johan van Heesch and Francois de Callatay (Brussels); Gtinther Dembski and Bernhard Woytek (Vienna); Fiorenzo Catalli, Maria Cristina Molinari, and Micaela Perrone (Rome); Alfredo Papalia (Vatican); Karsten Dahmen (Berlin); Ute Wartenberg and Frank Campbell (New York); and Karl-Josef Gilles (Trier). For sending me images from various collec- tions I am also grateful to the following: Bernhard Overbeck (Munich), Olga No- voseltceva and George Vilinbakhov (St. Petersburg), Daniel Schmutz (Bern), Car- men Marcos (Madrid), Frederic Elfver (Stockholm), Matthias Becker and Ulrike Binding (Halle), Claudi Klages (Bonn), Peter Robert Franke (Munich), and Bern- hard Pinske (Darmstadt). I would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers and fact checker of the AJN for their constructive criticism and very useful comments. References Bargagli, B., and C. Crosso. 1997.1 Fasti Ostienses. Rome. Beckmann, M. 2000. The early gold coinage of Trajan's sixth consulship. American Journal of Numismatics 12:119-156. --. 2005. The sculptural group atop the main arch of the Forum of Trajan. In Otium: Festschrift fur Volker-Michael Strocka, edited by T. Ganschow, 47-52. Bennett, J. 1997. Trajan Optimus Princeps. Bloomington, Ind. Birley, A. R. 1997. Hadrian: the restless emperor. London. BMC = Mattingly, H. 1936. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum. Vol. 3, Nerva to Hadrian. London. Duncan-Jones, R. P. 2005. Implications of Roman coinage: debates and differences. Klio 87: 459-487. Griffin, M. 2000. Nerva to Hadrian. In Cambridge ancient history, vol. 11. 2nd ed. Cambridge. Lightfoot, C. S. 1990. Trajan's Parthian war and the fourth-century perspective. Journal of Roman Studies 80:117-121. Longden, R. P. 1931. Notes on the Parthian campaigns of Trajan. Journal of Roman Studies 21:1-35. RIC = Mattingly, H., and E. A. Sydenham. 1926. The Roman imperial coinage. Vol. 2, Vespasian to Hadrian. London. Strack, P. L. 1931. Untersuchungen zur Romischen Reichspragung des zweiten Jahr- hunderts, Teil 1: Die Reichspragung zur Zeit des Traian. Stuttgart. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 93 Catalogue raphic Abbreviations BullCom Bulletino delta Commissione archeologica communale di Roma FRMO Die Fundmimzen der Romischen Zeit in Osterreich NC Numismatic Chronicle NK Numizmatikai Kozlony RIN Rivista Italiana di Numismatica e Scienze Affini Abbreviations of Hoards and Collections Arquennes Hoard Arquennes, Belgium. All recorded in archive in Brussels, most sold at Spink, many but not all in catalogues 60 (7 October, 1987), 65 (5 October 1988), and later auctions. Augsburg Hoard L. Weber, Ein Schatzfund romischer Aurei in Augsburg, Jahrbuch des R6misch.-Germanisch.en Zentralmuseums Mainz 28 (1981): 133-170. Belloni Belloni, G. G. 1973. Le monete di Traiano. Milan. Berlin Mtinzkabinett, Berlin. There is no unified numbering system; in- stead, coins are identified by accession year and source. Because this means that some coins share the same ID, weights are added as specific identifiers. BMC British Museum Catalogue. Brenot and Metzger Brenot, C, and C. Metzger, C. 1992. Trouvailles de bijoux monetaires dans FOccident romain. In Lor monaye III. Trouvailles de Monnaies d'or dans I'Occident romain, edited by C. Renot and X. Loriot, 313-371. Paris. Brigetio Hoard Barkoczi, L., and K. Biro-Sey. 1963-1964. Brigetioi aranyle- let. Numizmatikai Kozlony 62-63: 3-8. Diyarbakir Hoard Regling, K. 1931. Der Schatz romischer Goldmunzen von Diarbekir (Madrin). Blatter fur Miinzfreunde 11: 353-365. (A hoard of probably thousands, 302 preserved in in the Arkeoloji Mtizeleri at Istanbul, only selected pieces illustrated, two of the period covered here.) Erla Hoard Jungwirth, H. 1967. Der Mtinzschatzfund von Erla. Numisma- tische Zeitschrift 82: 26-48, plates 1-5. Florence Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Firenze. Halle Landesmuseum, Halle. 94 Martin Beckmann Hermitage State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Hunter Robertson, A. S. 1971. Roman imperial coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, IT. Trajan to Commodus. Glasgow. Jameson Collection R. Jameson, 1913. Tome 2: Monnaies Imperiales Ro- maines. Paris. Kestner Berger, E 1991. Die antiken Goldmunzen im Kestner-Museum Han- nover. Hannover. Liberchies Hoard Thirion, M. 1972. Le Tresor de Liberchies. Brussels. London Plantation Place, London. 2001. Images from Museum of London Web site. Madrid Asins, C. A. 1993. Catalogo de las monedas antiguas de oro del Museo Arqueoldgico Nacional. Madrid. Milan Belloni, G. G. 1973. Le monete di Traiano. Milan. Rome, MC Meagliere nel Museo Capitolino, Rome. Trier Hoard I Trier Leostrasse. Elmer, G, and P. Steiner. 1936. Ein Schatz flavischer und antoninischer Guldmunzen aus Trier. Trierer Zeitschrift fur Geschichte und Kunst 11: 170-175, plate 9. Trier Hoard II Trier Feldstrasse 1993. Preliminary report: Gilles, K.-J. 1993. Der grofie romische Goldmunzfund aus Trier. Funde und Ausgrabungen im Bezirk Trier 26: 9-24. Most coins are identified here by inventory number, but three of type RIC 347 (Bonus Eventus, Group D) are identified only by weight, since when I was at the Landesmuseum to study the hoard the pro- visory catalogue was not complete for this type. Vatican Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Medagliere. Via Po Hoard Cesano, S. L. 1929. Ripostiglio di aurei imperiali rinvenuto a Roma. BullCom 57: 1-119. Vienna Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Villach Hoard Dick, E FRMO 11/3, Villach Hoard, pp. 35-41. New Coins of Groups 1-3 This update for the period AD 112-114 maintains the formatting used in Beck- mann (2000); the catalogue for the period AD 114-117 uses a simplified system. The catalogue for AD 112-114 is arranged by reverse types, identified by an upper- Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 95 case Roman numeral (e.g., II); one type, IV, is further subdivided into two groups (IVa and IVb), based on a small difference in the reverse legend. Die combinations are numbered sequentially at the far left. Each die combination entry includes the identification of the obverse die (in italics if it links to reverse dies of another type) followed by individual reverse dies identified by an uppercase letter (e.g., F for dies of the Trajan's forum type) and a sequential number. Individual examples of coins from any one pair of dies are identified by a lowercase letter followed by the specific reference for that coin. Obverses: IMP TRAIANVS/O AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P. Obverse types (a) Bust of Trajan laur., r., dr. and cuir. (b) Bust laur., r., dr. with clasp on shoulder and cuir. (c) Bust laur., r., dr. (d) Bust laur., r., dr. and cuir., with small globe beneath (quite rare). (e) Bust laur., r., bare except for aegis at front (only one example). I. Trajan's Forum (abbreviated F for Forum) Reverse: FORVM TRAIAN (in ex.). Facade with sculpture. 3 a. ai5 Fi b. Trier Hoard II1933. 3b. a22 Fi a. Vienna 8095. b. Trier Hoard II 1934. 9- b6 F4 b. Madrid 205. 10. b8 F4 c. Trier Hoard II1935. 10b. a59 F4 a. Berlin 1869 Peytrignet 7.025 g 11. ai5 F5 c. Berlin Herrmann 7.13 g. d. Trier Hoard II1932. 16. b4 F6 f. Paris Mionnet 3. g. Vienna 13/4.292. 16a. b8 F6 a. Hermitage OH-A3/65/I, i844. 17- ai7 F6 b. Trier Hoard II1931. 19- C3 F7 c. Vatican. 20. ai8 F7 e. Vienna 8096. f. Hermitage OH-A3/65/I, 1843. 2oaa. ai9 F7 a. Madrid 204. 22. a20 F8 b. Florence 276. 22a. a29 F8 a. Hermitage OH-A3/65/I, 2890. 23- a2i F9 d. Bern RK0877. 24. a22 F9 c. Trier Hoard II1936. Martin Beckmann II. Basilica Ulpia (abbreviated B for Basilica) Reverse: BASILICA VLPIA (in ex.). Facade with sculpture. 1. ai4 Bi e. Trier Hoard II1928. 2. b4 B2 b. Paris Mionnet 2. c. Vienna 8097. d. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1833. 3. ai6 B3 m. Bern RK0836. 4. C2 B3 b. Madrid 202. 5. a23 B3 b. Berlin Gansauge (1873) 7.21 g. 10. a27 B5 c. Berlin 1860/21298. III. Via Traiana (abbreviated V for Via) Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI; VIA TRAIANA (in ex.). Woman reclining L, holding wheel. 1. ai8 Vi c. Trier Hoard II1937. 4. a30 V2 c. Vienna 8128. d. Vatican. IVa. Trajan Senior (abbreviated P for Pater Traianus) Reverse: DIVVS PATER TRAIANVS. Bare bust of Trajan senior r., draped. 1a. a4 Pi a. Florence 273. b. Trier Hoard II1980. lb. C4 Pi a. Unattributed cast in the BM. 2. ai P2 b. Rome, MC 3599. 4. a2 P3 c. Arquennes Hoard 360. IVb. Trajan Senior (abbreviated P, continuing from above) Reverse: DIVVS PATER TRAIAN. Type as IVa above. 7. ai P8 a. MMAG Deutschland 14,16th April 2004, lot 123. V. Deified Nerva and Trajan Senior (abbreviated N for Nerva) Reverse: DIVI NERVA ET TRAIANVS PAT. Facing busts of Nerva, r., laureate and draped, and Trajan senior L, bare-headed. 5. b3 N2 d. Arquennes Hoard 359. 6. b4 N2 d. Trier Hoard II1981. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 97 7a. a.g N2 a. Florence 275. 13. a.g N4 d. Rome, MC 3600. Does not have big reverse die break as on V.i3.b. e. Madrid 216. No die damage. 15. aio N5 c. Arquennes Hoard 358. 16. an N5 b. Bern RK0870. c. Diyarbakir Hoard 162. 16a. a.g N5 a. Madrid 215. VII. Jupiter Conservator (abbreviated J for Jupiter) Reverse: CONSERVATORI PATRIS PATRIAE. Targe male figure standing r., draped, staff in left arm and holding a thunderbolt over the head of a small figure dressed in a toga and holding a branch. 2a. bi9 Ji a. Florence 259. 6. 339 U b. Arquennes Hoard 347. 7. a40 u b. Berlin Alter Besitz (Thesaurus Brandenburgensis II 651) 7.29 g. 8aa. a46 u a. Vienna 8100. 8b. a57 u a. Arquennes Hoard 349. 8c. a52 u a. Florence 256. b. Boston 1975.785. 9. bio J5 f. Arquennes Hoard 348. 11. bn J7 b. THS 95, 25th Oct. 2005, lot 796. 15. di J9 d. Vienna 8101. 16a. a48 J9 a. Vatican. 17- 343 J9 b. Bern RK0837. 20. b2i J10 a. BRB. 21. b25 In a. Corny & Mosch 126,13th Oct. 2003, lot 2392. VIII. Legionary Eagle and Standards (abbreviated S for standards) Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI. Aquila flanked by legionary standards, one topped by a hand and the other by a wreath. 7. bi4 S4 e. Oxford 7.20 g. f. Vienna 8124. 9. bi6 S4 b. Florence 307. 10. a45 s4 b. Berlin (unnumbered) 6.77 g. c. Trier Hoard II1943. 11. bi7 S5 b. Florence 308. 13- &47 S7 b. Madrid 206. Reverse does not show die wear. 13a. bi6 S7 a. Arquennes Hoard 355. 98 Martin Beckmann b. Vienna 8123. d. Vatican. f. Trier Hoard II1942. a. Arquennes Hoard 356. c. Halle (Ftirstengrab von Gommern) neg. 1762/4 n. 10. a. Rome, MC 3528. IX. Bonus Eventus standing alone (abbreviated BE for Bonus Eventus) Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI. Figure standing L, holding patera and corn ears. 14. a48 S8 15. bi8 S8 16a. di S8 17. aso S9 18. a46 S10 2. a33 BEi b. Vienna 8068. 5- a37 BEi b. Rome, MC 3523. 6a. a58 BEi a. Arquennes Hoard 351. 10. a44 BE3 c. Arquennes Hoard 350. 10a. a6o BE3 a. Florence 301. 12. a46 BE5 b. Arquennes Hoard 352. 13- a47 BE6 d. Trier Hoard II1939. 19- a57 BE11 a. Arquennes Hoard 353. 20. a45 BE12 a. Vatican. b. Trier Hoard II1938. X. Bonus Eventus with altar (abbreviated BEA for Bonus Eventus and Altar) Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI. Standing figure holding patera and corn ears, beside square garlanded altar. 1. b9 BEAi b. Florence 303. 3. bn BEAi b. Arquennes Hoard 354. c. Florence 304. d. Vienna 8078. e. Trier Hoard II1927. f. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1859. 4. b23 BEA2 a. Vatican. XI. Trajan's Column (abbreviated C for Column) I am now inclined to think that Column dies C3 and C4 (illustrated in Beckmann 2000) are not genuine aureus dies. They look much more like denarius dies, are known only from single coins, and do not link into the main sequence. The coins in question maybe cast forgeries. Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI. Trajan's column. 2. a52 C2 d. Rome, MC 3527. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 99 e. Trier Hoard II1941. 3. a53 C2 c. Florence 305. Shows clear die wear (in field below M, below Column pedestal) not present on XI.2.d. 6. a52 C5 a. NAC 24, 5th Dec 2002, lot 73. XII. Fortuna Redux (abbreviated FR) Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, FORT RED in ex. Female seated L, hold- ing cornucopia. 1. bi7 FRi c. Oxford 6.92 g. d. Trier Hoard II1930. 1a b24 FRi a. Trier Hoard II1929. 3- b22 FR3 a. Coin Galleries nth Feb. 1987, lot 27. 4- b23 FR3 a. Maison Palombo 2, 30th April 2005, lot 82. 5- bi7 FR4 a. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1842. XIII. Profectio Augusti (abbreviated PR) Reverse: PROFECTIO AVG in ex. Trajan on horseback, riding r., two soldiers behind and one in front. 1. bi3 PRi b. Paris Mionnet 5. c. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1854. XV. Equus Traianus (abbreviated ET) Reverse: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI. Trajan seated 1. on horseback, right hand raised holding spear, left hand holding statuette of winged Victory. 2. a29 ETi a. Gorny 84,13th Oct. 1997, lot 5845. 3. C4 ETi a. Trier Hoard II1940. AD 114-117, Groups C, D, E, and F The catalogue is arranged first by Group (C-F), then alphabetically by reverse type. Individual coins are identified by lowercase letters subordinated to the vari- ous die pairs, e.g., in Group C, coin FR2/c9.b = reverse FR2 paired with obverse C9, the second known example (b) of this die pair. Hoards and collections are gen- erally abbreviated; these are expanded above. Coins from auction catalogues and other sales are given with year and day of sale where possible (coins from the BM cast collection generally have only lot numbers). Group C Obverse legend: IMPTRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P. Reverse legend: COS VI P P S P Q R or descriptive reverse. 100 Martin Beckmann BEi c4 a. Schulman, 16th Feb. 1961, lot 1681. b. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 212). c. Salton-Schlessinger FPL 29, Winter 1955, lot 86 (does not show damage on inner right thigh as on BEi/c4.a). d. Arquennes Hoard 363. 05 a. LHS 95, 25th Oct. 2005, lot 797. C12 a. Hirsch, 29th March 1955, lot 559. BE2 C2 a. Florence 266. C3 a. BMC 518. c5 a. Arquennes Hoard 362. b. Hermitage OH-A3/100/], 467. C13 a. Bourgey, 14th December 1934, lot 172. b. Florence 271. c. Trier Hoard II1946. C15 a. NAC 4, 27th Feb. 1991, lot 356. BE3 en a. Via Po Hoard 243. FRi c7 a. Vienna 8088. b. Arquennes Hoard 364. C13 a. Hirsch 18, 27th May 1907, lot 764 = Hirsch 20, 13th Nov. 1907, lot 533. FR2 C2 a. Ratto, 12th May 1925, lot 1052. C5 a. Trier Hoard II1947. c9 a. Gorny 134, nth Oct. 2004, lot 2736. b. Via Po Hoard 252. cio a. Baranowski 1929, lot 1194. b. Trier Hoard II1948. IMPi C2 a. Bayerische Vereinsbank FPL 15th September 1977, lot 222. c5 a. Vienna 8139. b. Paris 521. c. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 213). c6 a. Paris Mionnet 6. Ji C3 a. Berlin von Gansauge 7.30 g. b. Ars Classica XVI (BM cast collection) = MMAG Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 101 79, 28th Feb. 1994, lot 504 = MMAG 92, 22th Nov. 2002, lot 69. c. Trier Hoard II 1945. C8 a. Vienna 8104. b. Paris 512. C9 a. Trier Hoard II1944. C2 a. BMC 513. CIO b Arquennes Hoard 361. c6 a. Hermitage OH-A3/65/I, 1839. c3 a. Via Po Hoard 242. c6 a. Glendining, 20th Feb. 1951 (Ryan Collection), lot 1724 = BMC 512. b. Vienna 36682. c. Via Po Hoard 233. d. Lanz 36, 21st April 1986, lot 647. C4 a. BRB (du Chastel 509). C5 a. ANS 1944.100.43617. C14 a. Berlin 1869 Peytrignet 6.99 g. P2 ( = Pi in group D) ci a. Hunter 171. b. Paris 502. c. Peus 382,26th April 2005, lot 441. d. Rome, MC 3506. RPi ( = RPi in pre-Optimus coinage) C2 a. Hunter 172. C5 a. Newlands 1947 (BM cast collection). b. Paris 543. c. Arquennes Hoard 365. d. ANS 1958.214.21 (sold to Leu 5/69). c8 a. BRB (du Chastel 508). b. Vatican A/17/13. C14 a. Ktinker 43, 29th Sept. 1998, lot 297. 102 Martin Beckmann Group D Obverse legend: IMP CAES NERTRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC. Reverse legend: P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R or descriptive reverse. BEi d2 a. Hunter 175. b. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 228). c. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 229). d. Arquennes Hoard 379. e. Sangiorgi 15th April 1907 (Strozzi Coll.), lot 1882. A21 a. BMC 546. b. Arquennes Hoard 380. c. ANS 1001.1.30094. d. Ars Classica XIII, 27th June 1928 lot 1230. e. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1852. BE2 dn a. Vienna 8068. b. Trier Hoard II1968. c. Trier Hoard II1969. d. Vatican A/16/39. BE3 d3 a. Vienna 8069. BE4 di2 a. Vienna 8071. b. Arquennes Hoard 383. c. J. Vinchon, 28 Feb. 1972, lot 116. d. R. Ball FPL 39,1937, lot 1337. e. Vinchon, 3th Dec. 1984, lot 30 (face and right hand tooled on obverse). d26 a. Ars Classica XVII, 3rd Oct. 1934, lot 767 = Helbing 70, 9th Dec. 1932, lot 80 = American Numismatic Association i6-2ist August 1952, lot 1579. BE5 d22 a. Paris Rothschild 254. b. BMC 547. c. ANS 58.214.15. d. Trier Hoard II (RIC 347 7.28 g). e. Santamaria, 25th May 1926, lot 349. d.55 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 230). d6i a. Arquennes Hoard 378. BE6 d25 a. Glendining, 20th Feb. 1951 (Ryan Collection), lot !735 = Glendining, 3rd May 1967, lot 71. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 103 d23 a. NAC 0,13th May 2004, lot 1988 = MMAG 17, 2nd December 1957, lot 432. BE7 d27 a. Ars Classica XVII, 3rd Oct. 1934, lot 766. BE8 d8 a. Villach Hoard 132. a. Bourgey, 6th December 1961, lot 42 = Vinchon, 11th April 1988, lot 590. d4o a. Paris 535. b. Erla Hoard 532. c. Trier Hoard II (RIC 347 7.08 g). BE9 d46 a. BM 1964 12-3-109 (Clark). c. Hamburger, 19th Oct. 1925, lot 791 = Kastner 12, 30th Nov. 1976, lot 256. d. Schulman, 14th Feb. 1955, lot 1353. d52 a. London 39. BE10 d47 a. BMC 454. b. Frankfurter Mtinzhandlung 118, June 1971, lot 9 = Ktinker 38, 29th Sept. 1997, lot 328. BE 11 di a. Arquennes Hoard 376. BE12 di b. Arquennes Hoard 381. d6o c. Arquennes Hoard 377. BE13 d62 a. Arquennes Hoard 382. b. Via Po Hoard 231. BE14 d2i a. Hess 257,12th Nov. 1986, lot 280. b. Florence 289. d63 a. Milan 147 = Hess, 28th April 1936, lot 1212 = MMAG 38, 6th Dec. 1968, lot 420. b. Schulman, 31st May 1938, lot 321 = Helbing 70, 9th December 1932, lot 79. c. Hermitage OH-A3/100/], 472. d67 a. Ktinker 46, 9th March 1999, lot 244. d7i a. Trier Hoard II (RIC 347 6.84 g). FRi d4 a. I lunter 185. b. Baldwins May 1924 (BM cast collection) = Hess 257, 12th Nov. 1986, lot 277. c. Berk 138,1st June 2004, lot 28. 104 Martin Beckmann d. Milan 155. e. Adolph Hess Auction 252, 25th May 1982, lot 255. d32 a. Berlin von Gansauge (1873) 7.27 g (reverse has a less advanced state of wear than Hunter coin [FRi/d4.a], no damage on first S or following P, some damage on following S; wear on obverse die is about the same as FR5/d32.a). d.64 a. Diyarbakir Hoard 143. d68 a. Coin Galleries, 27th Feb. 2001, lot 11. b. Glendining, 21st Sept. i960, lot 865. FR2 d5 a. Hunter 186. d38 a. Paris Rothschild 239. b. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 218). c. Arquennes Hoard 368. d. Hermitage OH-A3/65/I, 1841. d2i a. Oxford (number not available). d46 a. Helbing 63,29th April 1931, lot 593 = Cahn 71,14th October 1931, lot 1554. b. Merzbacher 15th Nov. 1910 lot 1593 = Naville II, 12th June 1922 lot 618. c. Kestner 104. FR3 d8 a. Arquennes Hoard 367. b. Villach Hoard 128. c. Glendining, 20th Feb. 1951 (Ryan Collection), lot 1728 = MMAG 12, nth June 1953, lot 808 = Leu 2, 25th April 1972, lot 388. dso a. BMC 574. b. Bern RK0874. c. MMAG 19, 5th June 1959, lot 208. d. Munich, private collection. FR4 d9 a. Ars Classica XVII, 3rd Oct. 1934, lot 758. b. BMC 569. c. Munich 21 29 (no acc. Number). d. ANS 1944.100.43630. e. Helbing, 9th Dec. 1932, lot 70. f. Hirsch 189, 7th Feb. 1996, lot 546 = NAC "Autumn Sale" 26th Oct. 1995, lot 583. d54 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 217). Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 105 b. Frey, 15th July 1959, lot 899. c. Santamaria 7th March 1910 (Hartwig Coll.), lot 1245. CI57 a. E FOrange, 10th Feb. 1923, lot 124. b. Trier Hoard II1949. di3 a. Vienna 8090. d24 a. Naville-Ars Classica XII, 18th Oct. 1926, lot 2835. d32 a. MMAG 93, 16th Dec. 2003, lot 145 (obverse shows fair amount of damage, especially in field, but less than the obverse of j7/d32.a). d33 a. Ratto, 8th Feb. 1928, lot 2543. d48 a. BMC 572. d58 a. MMAG 3rd Dec. 1948, lot 566. b. Baranowsky, 25th Feb 1931, lot 1689. d74 a. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1840. di4 a. Vienna 8091. b. Spink 4026,15th April 2004, lot 128 (obverse shows damage to die at base of M in Optimo). c. Kastner 4, 27th Nov. 1973, lot 234 (die wear as FR6/ di4.b). d. NAC 24, 5th Dec. 2002, lot 75 = NAC 6,11th March !993» l°t 418 = Stacks, 7th Dec. 1994, lot 2007 (die wear on obverse at base of M and at end of upper wreath-tie, the latter not visible on FR6/di4.b). e. Hess 6th Jan. 1926 (Lobbecke Coll.), lot 1119 (die wear as FR6/di4.d). di5 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 219). d23 a. BMC 570. b. Madrid 207. c. Trier Hoard II1950. d. Glendining 22th Oct. 1969, lot 13. d.35 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 216). b. Munzhandlung Basel VI, 18th March 1936, lot 1660. c. Hess, 5th April 1955, lot 87. d36 a. Paris 516. b. LHS 95, 25th October 2005, lot 799. d45 a. BMC 571. 106 Martin Beckmann b. Via Po Hoard 253. c. Trier Hoard II1951. d. Gorny 40, 7th April 1988, lot 422. e. Hermitage OH-A3/100/], 468. FR8 d28 a. CNG 57, 4th April 2001, lot 1197. b. Villach Hoard 129. c. Santamaria 29th Nov. 1920, lot 559. FR9 d6 a. Trier Hoard II1957. d29 a. Coin Galleries, 18th April 2001, lot 14. b. CNG 57,4th April 2001, lot 1198 (obverse shows die chip above R in NER, not present on FR9/d29.a). c. Arquennes Hoard 372 (no chip above R on obverse). d. Berlin 1839/71 (Fund von Grevenbroich, 7.19 g) (no chip above R). e. Brigetio Hoard 49 (very worn, does not appear to have chip above R). f. Trier Hoard II1956. g. Gorny48,2nd April 1990, lot 83 5 (shows chip above R). d39 a. Paris 515. b. BMC 576. c. Arquennes Hoard 371. FR10 d6 a. Erla Hoard 508. d3i a. Leu 83, 6th May 2002, lot 757 = Leu 33, 3rd May 1983, lot 48 = Hess-Leu 36,17th April 1968, lot 472. FR11 d3 a. CNG 49, 17th Mar. 1999, lot 1551 = Cahn 80, 27th Feb. 1933, lot 654a. FR12 d5 a. Berk 138,1st June 2004, lot 27. b. Bourgey, 6th May 1971, lot 150. FR13 d24 a. Trier Hoard II1952. b. NAC N, 26th June 2003, lot 1942. d56 a. Arquennes Hoard 369. b. Vatican A/15/3 9. c. Lanz 78, 25th Nov. 1996, lot 591. FR14 d37 a. Paris Rothschild 237. b. ANS 1001.1.22271. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 107 c. Florence 274. CI49 a. Egger 41,18th Nov. 1912, lot 1190. d70 a. Trier Hoard II1955. FR15 d49 a. BMC 573. d.64 a. Milan 156. FR16 dsi a. BMC 575. d.57 a. Arquennes Hoard 370. FR17 d47 a. Trier Hoard I 5. d5i a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 214). b. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 215). c. Arquennes Hoard 366. FR18 d2 a. Trier Hoard II1954. d27 a. Hamburger, 12th Sept. 1922, lot 82. d65 a. ANS 58.214.17 = Baranowsky FPL 1929, lot 1195. FR19 di6 a. Glendining 16th Nov. 1950, lot 1288. FR20 d66 a. Munzhandlung Basel VI, 18th Mar. 1936, lot 1659. FR21 ds a. Madrid 208. FR22 d54 a. Trier Hoard II1955. FR23 d30 a. Bonn, Rheinisches Landesmuseum. Ji di a. Cambridge Y7301936. b. LHS 95, 25th Oct. 2005, lot 800. d48 a. BMC 533. d5i a. ANS 1001.1.30095. b. Kestner 106. c. Lanz 30, 26th Nov. 1984. J2 d3 a. Hunter 177. b. Vatican A/16/35. c. Via Po Hoard 235. d. Trier Hoard II1964. e. Peus 314, 31th Oct. 1985, lot 406. f. Vinchon, 20th Nov. 1992, lot 107. d44 a. Paris Rothschild 252 (die wear on reverse, especially a crack running below SPQR, not seen on reverse of 108 Martin Beckmann j2/d3.a). b. J3 di4 a. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1851. di5 a. Vienna 8106. d66 a. Flnrpnrp U di6 a. Vienna 8107. b. Bourgey, 24th Nov. 1995, lot 39. d69 a. Hess, 2nd April 1958, lot 316. J5 di7 a. Vienna 8108. b. Hirsch 199, 6th May 1998, lot 473. c. Florence 288. 16 d43 a. Paris Rothschild 251. b. Glendining, 23rd April 1970, lot 290 = Glendining 16th May 1979, lot 93. c. ANS 56.184.32 (obverse shows die wear, especially at end of legend and on wreath ties, not seen on obverses of j6/d43.a or b). J7 d24 a. Paris 534. b. Milan 142. d32 a. Berk 84,19th Jan. 1995, lot 25 (shows earlier stage of wear than FR5/d32.a). d58 a. Arquennes Hoard 373. b. Arquennes Hoard 374. c. ANS 1958.214.22 (sold 9/68). J8 d24 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 225). b. Hess 257,12th Nov. 1986, lot 279. 19 d28 d59 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 226). a. Arquennes Hoard 375. J10 d2i a. Erla Hoard 521. Jn d6o a. Trier Hoard II1965. Si( = S5 in group F) d46 a. Hess Leu, 2nd April 1958, lot 314. Pi( = P2 in group C, but with marked die wear) dio a. Vienna 8065. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 109 b. BMC 532. PVi d4i a. Paris Rothschild 256. b. BMC 582. c. BMC 587. d. Madrid 212. e. Berk 35,12th Feb. 1985, lot 22. RAi d4i a. BMC 589. d4i a. Paris 540. RA2 ( = RA3 in group e) di4 a. Gorny & Mosch 133, 11th Oct. 2004, lot 451 (this and the following coin show distinct obverse die wear at base of O and M in Optimo), b. BMC 5 88 A. RA3 ( = RAi in group e) d52 a. BMC 588. d73 a. British Museum card file Regna Adsignata 489. SAi d6 a. Hunter 189. b. Florence 297. di5 a. Glendining, i9-2oth July 1967, lot 102. b. Hermitage OH-A3/65/I, 1856. d20 a. Vienna 8122 (reverse shows die wear, especially small blob in right field, not present on SAi/d6.a). b. Paris 544 (reverse shows same state of die wear as SAi/d20.a). c. Coin Galleries, 9th Nov. 1988, lot 15 (worn coin, die wear as above). d42 a. Paris Rothschild 247 (reverse shows even greater die wear than SAi/d20.a-c, small blob has become large). b. NAC, "Autumn Sale" 26th Oct. 1995, lot 582 (same degree of wear as above). SA2 di8 a. Vienna 8120. b. Florence 293. d53 a. BMC 586. b. Arquennes Hoard 385. c. ANS 1001.1.30093. d. Schulman, 20th May 1966, lot 2388 = Lanz 30, 26th 110 Martin Beckmann Nov. 1984, lot 515. SA3 dig a. Vienna 8121. b. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 231). c. Trier Hoard II1971. d30 a. Gorny & Mosch 125,13th Oct 2003, lot 467. b. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 232). d.35 a. NAC 25, 25th June 2003, lot 449. b. NAC 27,12th May 2004, lot 383. c. NACN, 26th June 2003, lot 1940 (obverse die shows wear in front of nose, on G in AVG). d. Arquennes Hoard 384. e. Via Po Hoard 257. d.56 a. Superior 303rd Apr. 1971, lot 116. SA4 d24 a. Trier Hoard II1970. d33 a. CNG 42, 29th May 1997, lot 890 = Ktinker 34, 8th Oct. 1996, lot 350. b. BMC 585. c. Arquennes Hoard 387. d. Arquennes Hoard 386. e. Milan 160. f. Erla Hoard 544. g. Vinchon, 9th Dec. 1983, lot 201. SA5 d70 a. Vatican A/17/14. b. British Museum card file, source unknown, labelled "Salus 421." Vi d7 a. Hunter 190. b. Paris 561. c. Trier Hoard II1973. d. Lanz 92, 4th June 1999, lot 533. d43 a. Trier Hoard II1974. b. Vinchon 3rd March 1975, lot 109 = Baranowsky 1929 (Arturo Cuzzi Coll.), lot 616. c. UBS 65, 24th Jan. 2006, lot 189. d45 a. Trier Hoard II1972. b. Trier Hoard II1975. c. Santamaria, 13th Mar. 1953, lot 89. V2 d72 a. Rome, MC 3531. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 111 Group E Obverse legend: IMP CAES NERTRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER DAC PARTHICO Reverse legend: P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R or descriptive reverse PCi ei a. Hunter 193. b. MMAG 43,12th Nov. 1970, lot 333. PC2 e2 a. Hunter 194. b. Ars Classica XVII, 3rd Oct. 1934, lot 1367. PC3 e4 a. Vienna 8152. b. Paris 522. c. Vatican (number not available). d. Kestner 105. e. Stacks, 30th April 1964, lot 49. e2 a. Paris 523. b. BMC 606. c. Trier Hoard II 1961. ei2 a. Ars Classica XVII, 3rd Oct. 1934, lot 760. ei5 a. Berlin 1872/409 7.23 g. e25 a. Erla Hoard 509. b. ANS 1980.109.162. PC4 e5 a. Vienna 8153. b. Berlin Hermann 7.12 g. e7 a. Florence 277. b. Trier Hoard II i960, en a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 220). b. Milan 164. c. Rome, MC 3514. d. O'Hagan 273 (BM cast collection) = Sotheby, 4th May 1908, lot 271. e. Schulman, 14th March 1969, lot 15 = Munzhand- lung Basel VI, 18th March 1936, lot 1661. e. Hess 9th May 1951, lot 95. f. Peus 270,10th June 1969, lot 233. g. Florence 278. PC5 e2 a. Triton VII, 24th Jan. 2004, lot 918. b. MMAG 10, 22nd June 1951, lot 39. c. Helbing, 22nd March 1926, lot 271. 112 Martin Beckmann ei5 a. NAC 25, 25th June 2003, lot 448 (reverse die of this coin shows more wear than PC5/e2.a, especially on the second and fourth P and the third C). e22 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 221). PC6 en a. Bern RK0879. b. Trier Hoard II1959. ei3 a. Lanz 97, 22th May 2000, lot 563 = Hess-Leu 24,16th April 1964, lot 296. PC7 ei4 a. CNG 50, 23rd June 1999, lot 1487. b. Santamaria, 24th Jan. 1938, lot 457. e30 a. Hauck & Aufhauser 18, 5th Oct. 2004, lot 459. PC8 ei6 a. Peus 378, 28th April 2004, lot 565 = Spink 3014, 8th Oct. 2003, lot 182. ei4 a. Spink 4026,15th April 2004, lot 31 = Cahn 71,14th Oct. 1931, lot 1557 = Bourgey, 18th Dec. 1912, lot 123. PC9 ei9 a. BMC 604. b. Milan 165. c. Via Po Hoard 245. e2i a. BMC 603. b. Arquennes Hoard 388. c. Hess-Leu, 5th May 1965, lot 404. d. Coin Galleries, 26th Oct. 1961, lot 385 = Berk 82, 13th July 1994, lot 17. PC10 eg a. Erla Hoard 510. e26 a. Sangiorgi 15th April 1907 (Strozzi Coll.), lot 1879. b. Santamaria, 21st Nov. 1932, lot 215. PC11 ei2 a. Berk 69, 22th Jan. 1992, lot 7. ei8 a. Hermitage OH-A3/100/J 469. PC12 e27 a. Trier Hoard II1958. PC13 e2i a. Hermitage OH-A3/65/J 1845. PRi e7 a. Vienna 8160. RAi e3 a. Hunter 197. b. Vatican A/17/11. c. Erla Hoard 543. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 113 d. Bern RK0920. ei7 a. Paris 541. b. NAC n, 29th April 1998, lot 423. e20 a. Via Po Hoard 244. b. MMAG 52,19th June 1975, lot 608. c. Lanz 28, 7th March 1984, lot 496. e24 a. Arquennes Hoard 391. b. Lanz 66, 22th Nov. 1993, lot 500. c. Berlin von Gansauge 7.15 g. RA2 e6 a. Vienna 8165. RA3 e8 a. Vienna 8166. b. Rome, MC 3521. c. BMC 614. d. Arquennes Hoard 390. e. Erla Hoard 542. f. Berk 86, nth July 1995, lot 18A. g. Berlin 1855/17584. h. Madrid 213. eio a. Glendining, 20th Feb. 1951 (Ryan Collection), lot 1737- e28 a. British Museum card file Regna Adsignata 380. e29 a. British Museum card file Regna Adsignata 898. RA4 e9 a. BRB (du Chastel 511). 51 ei8 a. Paris 533. b. MMAG 64, 30th Jan. 1984, lot 251. e23 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 227). b. Arquennes Hoard 389. c. Villach Hoard 121. 52 e23 a. British Museum card file Sol 597. Vi e7 a. BMC 612. b. Hamburger 96, 25th Oct. 1932, lot 878 = Helbing, 17th June 1929, lot 3799. c. Vitalini, 9th March 1891, lot 523. eg a. Vienna 8175. b. Paris 265. c. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 233). d. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 234). 114 Martin Beckmann e. Florence 310. f. Munzhandlung Basel, 18th March 1936, lot 1676. g. NAC H, 30th April 1998, lot 1935. e28 a. Winterthur R25. Group F Obverse legend: IMP CAES NERTRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC Reverse legend: PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R Hi fi8 a. Formerly Paris (cast illustrated by Strack, PI. X.260). b. Berk 94, 16th Jan. 1997, lot 11 = NAC 24, Dec 5 2002, lot 80. 51 fi a. Cambridge Y731 1936. b. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 222). c. Arquennes Hoard 400. d. Augsburg Hoard 10. £2 a. Vinchon. 6th May 1955. lot 327. fi3 a. Arquennes Hoard 401. b. Ktinker 97, 7th March 2005, lot 1383 = MMAG 93, 16th Dec. 2003, lot 147 (reverse has less die wear than Si/fi.a, especially around first and last letters of legend). fi9 a. Munich 81309. b. Vatican A/15/3 4. c. Lanz (Graz), 8th Dec. 1972, lot 255. d. Darmstadt, Landesmuseum 1956.823.103. f38 a. Gorny 46, 30th Oct. 1989, lot 569. f43 a. Trier Hoard 111963. f45 a. Hermitage OH-A3/100/], 470. 52 £2 a. Hunter 201. 53 £2 a. Via Po Hoard 248. b. Egger 39,15th Jan. 1912 (Vienna duplicate) lot 865. £3 a. Vienna 8155. fo a. Milan 169. fi6 a. CNG 39,18th Sept. 1996, lot 1433. £36 a. Sotheby, 26th June 1974, lot 18 = Spink, 15th Feb. 1977, lot 325 = Spink 24th Nov. 1982, lot 203. £44 a. Hermitage OH-A3/65/J 1848. Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 115 54 13 a. Sambon & Canessa 18. Nov. 1907 (Martinetti Coll.), lot 1856. £4 a. Vienna 33586 (die wear on obverse at forehead lock). b. Peus 297, 3rd April 1979, lot 366. £5 a. Vienna 8156. b. Paris Rothschild 242. fio a. Naville III, 16th June 1922, lot 50 = Glendining, 27th Sept. 1962, lot 186 = MMAG FPL 231, April 1963, lot 53. b. Paris Rothschild 240. c. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1847. £42 a. Trier Hoard II1962. 55 ( = Oi in group D) £2 a. Arquennes Hoard 399. b. Gorny 44, 3rd April 1989, lot 772. fo a. Stockholm, Myntkabinettet. b. Ars Classica XVII, 3rd Oct. 1934, lot 762. c. Sotheby 19th Jan. 1914 (Cumberland Clark Coll.) lot 375 = Glendining, 20th Feb. 1951 (Ryan Collection), lot 1732. d. Hirsch, 29th March 1955, lot 560. f8 a. Ratto 8th Feb. 1928 (R. H. Morcom) lot 93 (BM cast collection) = Raymond, 31st Jan. 1939, lot 116. b. Hirsch XX, 13th Nov. 1907, lot 554. c. Schulman, 5th May 1913, lot 155. £22 a. London 8. £27 a. Arquennes Hoard 396 = Gorny 48, 2nd April 1990, lot 836. b. Florence 280. £40 a. Madrid 209. 56 £7 a. Ars Classica XVII, 3rd Oct. 1934, lot 763 = Helbing 70,9th Dec. 1932, lot 76 = Credit Suisse FPL 19,1976, lot 35 = Credit Suisse FPL 13,1974, lot 40. b. Santamaria, 29th Nov. 1920, lot 560 = Stacks, 14th June 1971, lot 14 = Helbing, 20th March 1928, lot 518. c. Hess-Leu 22, 4th April 1963, lot 173 = MMAG, 22-23rd June 1951, lot 40. d. Jameson 93. £35 a. Sotheby, 9th March 1936, lot 219. Martin Beckmann a. MMAG FPL 198, March 1960, lot 40 = MMAG FPL 304, Sept. 1969, lot 27 = MMAG FPL 327, Sept. 1971, lot 17 = Stacks, 19th June 1969 (Fowler Collection), lot 360. b. Peus 361,3rd Nov. 1999, lot 579 = Berk 34, 25th Oct. 1984, lot 118. a. Glendining 3rd Dec. 1929 (Nordheim, Anderson Colls.), lot 834. b. NAC O, 13th May 2004, lot 1987 = Myers & Adams 5,15th March 1973, lot 382. c. Vinchon nth April 1988, lot 588. d. Hermitage OH-A3/65/], 1849. a. Ars Classica XVII, 3rd Oct. 1934, lot 761 = Hess- Leu, 12th April 1962, lot 459 = Hess-Leu 3rd May 1983, lot 49 = NAC 7, 2nd March 1994, lot 728 = NAC 9,16th April 1996, lot 861. b. Helbing, 20th March 1928, lot 517. c. Naville II, 12th June 1922, lot 624 = (most likely) Santamaria, 24th Jan. 1938, lot 459. a. Paris 524. b. O'Hagan 273 (BM cast collection) = Sotheby, 4th May 1908, lot 273 = NAC 16th Nov 1994 (Steinberg Coll.), lot 379 = Lanz 34, 25th Nov. 1985, lot 531. a. Arquennes Hoard 397. b. Arquennes Hoard 393. c. Rome, MC 3515. d. Stacks, 20th Nov. 1967, lot 866. e. Naville II, 12th June 1922, lot 625. a. Baldwin 39, nth Oct. 2004,1438. b. Arquennes Hoard 395. c. Hess-Leu, 5th May 1965, lot 405 = Kricheldorf, 7th July 1964, lot 284. d. Coin Galleries, 14th Dec. 2004, lot 35. e. Berlin von Gansauge 7.20 g. f. Bern RK5922. g. Boston 00.291. a. Gorny 50, 24th Sept. 1990, lot 571 (obverse has notably less damage on ties and back of neck than obverse of Sn/fi5.a). Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 117 f20 a. Brenot and Metzger (1992, 329, cat. 37, plate. 1). £23 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 223). b. Helbing 70, 9th Dec. 1932, lot 74. c. Hermitage OH-A3/100/], 471. f3i a. Ratto, 19th Jan. 1956, lot 117. 510 fi4 a. Coin Galleries, 13th April 2005, lot 18. b. Arquennes Hoard 392 = Ktinker 97, 7th March 2005, lot 1384 = NAC N, 26th June 2003, lot 1941. c. Cahn 61, 4th Dec. 1928, lot 835. f28 a. Erla Hoard 512. f4i a. Madrid 210. 511 fi5 a. CNG, Classical Numismatic ReviewXVI. 1,1990, lot 230. b. Baranowsky, 25th Feb. 1931, lot 1694 = Hess 194, 25th March 1929 (Vogel Sale), lot 796. f30 a. Santamaria 26th June 1950 (Magnaguti Coll. Ill), lot 66 = Ratto FPL 1939, lot 78 = MMAG 44, 15th June 1971, lot 64. b. Santamaria, 24th Jan. 1938, lot 548. c. Schulman, 30th Jan. 1956, lot 2073. d. Hess 257,12th Nov. 1986, lot 278. f34 a. Hess, 28th Apr. 1936, lot 1211. 512 fi2 a. Erla Hoard 513. £17 a. Gemini 1,11th Jan. 2005, lot 353. 513 £20 a. Paris Rothschild 239. b. BMC 621. c. Via Po Hoard 247. 514 £21 a. Paris Rothschild 241. £26 a. Peus 34, 2nd Nov. 1994, lot 822. 515 £4 a. BMC 622. b. BMC 623. c. Erla Hoard 514. d. Florence 279. £42 a. British Museum card file Sol 169. b. Hermitage OH-A3/65/I 1846. 516 £24 a. BRB (Liberchies Hoard 224). 118 Martin Beckmann 517 £2 a. Arquennes Hoard 398. 518 126 a. Arquennes Hoard 394. b. Mtinzhandlung Basel VI, 18th March 1936, lot 1662. c. LHS 95, 25th Oct. 2005, lot 802. 519 £23 a. Hirsch XXIX, 9th Nov. 1910, lot 967. £28 a. Piatt FPL without year (c. 1920) "collection C" [Motte], lot 68. £32 a. Hirsch 26th Oct. 1954, lot 1357 = Helbing 70, 9th Dec. 1932, lot 75. 520 £29 a. Helbing 63, 29th April 1931, lot 595. b. Santamaria, 18th June 1928, lot 230. 521 £33 a. Hess, 18th Dec. 1933, lot 505. b. Vinchon, 27th Oct. 2000, lot 297. £39 a. Augsburg Hoard 11. 522 £26 a. Glendining (Piatt Hall Coll., Part II), i6-2ist November 1950, lot 1291. 523 £37 a. Gorny 67, 2nd May 1994, lot 474 = Gorny 3rd May 1995, lot 652. Forgeries Forgery 1 Rome, MC, Forum Traian(i) reverse. Becker. Forgery 2 Bern, Historisches Muesum, RK 880. Sol reverse. Paduan. List of Die Illustrations The sources of the die illustrations are listed in brief below; full bibliographic in- formation can be found under the relevant entry in the catalogue. Obverses: Groups 1-3 (new dies): a57 Arquennes Hoard 353 b2i BRB a58 Arquennes Hoard 351 b22 Coin Galleries 27 a59 Berlin 1869 b23 Maison Polombo 2 a6o Florence 301 b24 Trier Hoard II1929 b25 Gorny Group C: ci Hunter 171 cio Arquennes Hoard 361 Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 119 C2 Hunter 172 03 Ars Classica XVI 04 Ars Classica XVII 05 Newlands 1947 c6 Ryan 1724 07 Vienna 8088 c8 Vienna 8014 eg Corny 134, 2736 Group D: en Via Po Hoard 243 C12 Hirsch 559 C13 Bourgey 14th Dec. 1934, lot 172 C14 Ktinker 197 C15 NAC356 di Cambridge Y730 1936 d40 Paris 535 d2 Hunter 175 d4i Paris 540 d3 Hunter 177 d42 Paris Rothschild 257 d4 Hunter 185 d43 ANS 56 184 32 d5 Hunter 186 d44 Paris Rothschild 252 d6 Hunter 189 d45 Via Po Hoard 253 d7 Hunter 190 d46 Hamburger lot 791 d8 Ryan 1728 d47 BMC 454 d9 Ars Classica XVII d48 BMC 572 dio Vienna 8065 d49 BMC 573 dn Vienna 8068 dso MMAG 208 di2 Vienna 8071 dsi BMC 575 di3 Vienna 8090 d52 London Hoard 39F di4 NAC 75 d.53 ANS 1001 1 30093 di5 Vienna 8106 d54 BNB Liberchies Hoard 217 di6 Vienna 8107 d55 BRB 230 di7 Vienna 8108 d.56 Arquennes Hoard 369 di8 Vienna 8120 d57 Arquennes Hoard 370 di9 Vienna 8121 d58 MMAG 1948, 566 d20 Vienna 8122 d59 Arquennes Hoard 375 d2i Naville xiii lot 1230 d6o Arquennes Hoard 377 d22 Paris Rothschild 254 d6i Arquennes Hoard 378 d23 NAC 1988 d62 Arquennes Hoard 382 d24 Naville XII 2835 d63 Milan 147 d25 Ryan 1735 d64 Milan 156 d26 Ars Classica XVII d65 ANS 58 214 17 d27 Ars Classica XVII d66 Basel 1659 d28 CNG 57 d67 Ktinker 244 d29 CNG 57,1198 d68 Coin Galleries 2001, lot 11 d30 Gorny 125, 467 d69 Hess 1958, lot 316 120 Martin Beckmann d3i Leu 757 d32 MMAG 145 d33 CNG 890 [d34 not used] d35 NAC 449 d36 Paris 516 d37 Paris rot 236 d38 BRB Liberchies Hoard 2i£ d39 Paris 515 Group E: ei Hunter 193 e2 Hunter 194 e3 Hunter 197 e4 Vienna 8152 e5 Vienna 8153 e6 Vienna 8156 e7 Vienna 8160 e8 Vienna 8166 eg Vienna 8175 eio Ryan 1737 en O'Hagan 273 ei2 Ars Classica XVII ei3 Lanz97, 563 ei4 CNG 1487 ei5 NAC 448 ei6 Peus 565 ei7 Paris 541 ei8 Paris 533 ei9_BMC604 Group F: fi Cambridge Y731 1036 {2 Hunter 201 f3 Vienna 8155 (4 Vienna 33586 f5 Vienna 8156 16 Ars Classica XVII f7 Ars Classica XVII d70 Trier Hoard II1953 d7i Trier Hoard II 684g d72 Rome, MC d73 BM card 489 d74 Hermitage 1840 e20 MMAG 1975, 608 e2i BMC 603 e22 BRB Liberchies Hoard 221 e23 BRB Liberchies Hoard 227 e24 Lanz 66, 500 e25 ANS 1980.109.162 e26 Sangiorgi 15th April 1907 (Strozzi Coll.), 1879 e27 Trier Hoard II1958 e28 BM card 380 e29 BM card 898 e30 Hauck & Aufhauser 2004 f30 Santamaria 66 f3i Ratto 117 f*32 Hirsch 1357 f33 Hess 505 f34 Hess 1211 f35 Sotheby 1936, 219 f36 Sotheby 1974,18 Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 f8 Morcom 93 f37Gorny 1994,474 £9 Nordheim £38 Gorny 1989, 569 fio Naville III, 50 £39 Augsburg Hoard 16 fn O'Hagan 273 £40 Madrid 209 fi2 Baldwin 39,1438 £41 Madrid 210 fi3 Kiinker 97 1383 £42 Trier Hoard II1962 fi4 Kiinker 97 1384 £43 Trier Hoard II1963 fi6CNG 1433 £44 Hermitage 1848 fi7 Gemini £45 Hermitage 470 fi8 NAC 80 fi9 Munich 21 30 £20 Paris Rothschild 239 £21 Paris Rothschild 241 f22 London Hoard o8F[i] 123 dkd Lid. 223 f24 BRB Lib. 224 L25 Arquennes Hoard 397 L26 Glendinging 1291 f27 Arquennes Hoard 396 L28 Piatt 68 £29 Helbing 595 Reverses: Groups 1-3: BE 11 Arquennes Hoard 353 BE12 Trier Hoard II1938 C5 NAC 73 FR3 Coin Galleries 27 FR4 Hermitage 1842 J11 Gorny P8 MMAG 123 S10 Rome, MC 3528 Group C: BEiArs ClassicaXVII BE25MC518 BE3Via Po I loard 243 FRiVienna 8088 FR2Gorny 134, 2736 IMPi Vienna 8139 Pi Ryan 1724 JiArs ClassicaXVI P2Hunter 171 j2Vienna 8104 RPiNewlands J3.BMC513 j4Via Po Hoard 242 122 Martin Beckmann Group D: BEi Hunter 175 BE2 Vienna 8068 BE3 Vienna 8069 BE4 Vienna 8071 BE 5 Paris Roths- child 254 BE6 Ryan 1735 BE7 Ars Classica XVII BE8 Paris 535 BE9 London Hoard 39B BE10 BMC 454 BE 11 Arquennes Hoard 376 BE12 Arquennes Hoard 377 BE 13 Arquennes Hoard 382 BE 14 Milan 147 FRi Hunter 185 FR2 Hunter 186 FR3 Ryan 1728 FR4 Ars Classica XVII FR5 Vienna 8090 FR6 Vienna 8091 FR7 Paris 516 FR8 CNG 57 FR9 CNG 57 1198 FR10 Leu 757 FR11 CNG 1551 FR12 Berk 27 FR13 NAC 1942 BFR14 Paris Roth- schild 236 FR15 Milan 156 FR16 BMC 575 FR17 BRB Lib 214 FR18 ANS 58 214 17 FR19 Glendining 1288 FR20 Basel Handel 1659 FR21 Madrid 208 FR22 Trier Hoard II 1955 FR23 Bonn Ji Cambridge 1936 SAi Hunter 189 J2 Hunter 177 SA2 Vienna 8120 SA3 Vienna 8121 SA4 CNG 890 J3 Vienna 8106 J4 Vienna 8107 J5 Vienna 8108 J6 Paris Roths- child 251 J7 Paris 534 J8 BRB Lib. 225 J9 BRB Lib. 226 J10 Erla Hoard 521 J11 Trier Hoard II 1965 Pi Vienna 8065 PVi Paris Roths- child 256 RAi Paris 450 RA2 Gorny 133, 451 RA3 BMC 588 Si Hess-Leu 314 SA5 BM card 421 Vi Hunter 190 V2 Rome, MC Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 123 Group E: PCi Hunter 193 PC2 Hunter 194 PC3 Vienna 8152 PC4 Vienna 8153 PC5 Triton VII PC6 Lanz 97, 563 PC7 CNG 1487 PC8 Peus 565 PC9 BMC 603 PC10 Erla Hoard 510 PC11 Berk 1992, 7 PC12 Trier Hoard II1958 PC13 Hermitage 1845 Group F: Hi NAC 80 51 Cambridge 1936 52 Hunter 201 53 Vienna 8155 PRi Vienna 8160 Ri Hunter 197 R2 Vienna 8165 R3 Vienna 8166 R4BRB du Chastel5ii 51 Paris 533 52 BM card file 597 Vi Vienna 8175 510 Ktinker 97,1384 511 CNRev 230 512 Gemini S4 Vienna 33586 S13 Paris Rothschild 239 520 Helbing 595 521 Hess 505 522 Glendining 1291 523 Gorny 1994 lot 67 55 Ars ClassicaXVII 56 Ars ClassicaXVII 57 Nordheim 58 O'Hagan 273 59 Baldwin 39,1438 514 Paris Rothschild 241 515 BMC 622 516 BRB Lib. 224 517 Arquennes Hoard 398 518 Basel 1662 519 Piatt 68 124 Martin Beckmann Groups 1-3, Revised Die Link Charts These charts fall into three series (groups 1-3), which are each composed of die- linked types. No die links whatsoever have been found between these three main groups. To both groups 1 and 2 have been added individual die pairs or small linked series that do not link to the main series but are of the same obverse and reverse types. Group 3 is defined primarily by the types Rex Parthus and Profectio, which it contains. The former is die linked to the earliest OPTIMUS coinage, in group C following, showing that it is later in date than group 2. New links (found since 2000) are shown as dotted lines; new dies are shown in bold italics. Group 1 Basilica Ulpia (B) + Forum of Trajan (F) + Via Appia (V) + Mars Victor (M) + Trajan Senior (P) + Deified Nerva and Trajan Senior (N) US d 1» ill Kf. M t PI l"l HI Hi P7 ft N5 A a'I.I ,i ai'i a][ alS J lifl tl Hi iii ili »U lU bl bl iSK di U *\l *L3 i\I VI ETI PS Tt V] BJ TU Ft B2 ft W4 F9 *i FL I". 3& ai2 o& V Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 125 Group 2 Jupiter Conservator (J) + Standards (S) + Bonus Eventus (BE) + Column of Trajan (C) + Fortuna Redux (FR) LJ2 H &E5 CS CJ iil tiZ di til fctt LLj *1£ niZ*a u££jZ5 iii til -1 5S mi: Ci 126 Martin Beckmann Group 3 Bonus Eventus with Altar (BEA) + Jupiter Conservator (J) + Fortuna Redux (FR) + Profectio (PR) + Rex Parthus (RP) hv.m FRz BEAl BEA J ■I -: I links to GmuP<: (OPTCMIJS) □bvtisei Group C Linked bo pre-Oplimut coinage H M BE2 RJJ \l /1\>k \ V II JM IMP] BE I PL HE IS Ji HF.1 Pi . I. d cl LinkttliOfjMup [j Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 127 Group D PH-Plin fimupCj ■J 11 EES FK7 V] |£ Bl: » d25 tli3 d3G d35 iH5 <J7 <J« M? J19 ijrj J5u 023 d32 d3} Jit d43dL (151 d57 d54 * J70 JJ7 .JJs dU il dhA dhfc PR? FHO Si ]3 l:HS RA2(=AA3 in Croup t> Ji5 iii iil dft di2 d20 dl5 JH Kh7 HHia BEI TIU &EU FRJ 1R4 Sl(=S5 in Gfthip dJ7 dAi <I2 d2l dfcj d5 di8 d46 A FRli FJU1 Martin Beckmann Group D continued Utl HKJ ji B£l FR.IL 1* fll? Ft* ?9 AA AJ/ N M dm dB dm Ju ds £W <<lrf iL!i j» RAI PV1 DC5 ■l-l V A\ A A dll (E2 d-'j *l Jli dJO «J|K -li^ Bl JEL3 J) KOO BlAJI =P.^ I "1 r>-nir F | dll .AS! AT dBfc d« Group E Cj f|7 (JO tn -I £3 sit v3J pa icj itij pa pcls pci rh vi pcm km /VN/W dLJ <ll el *7 PQS PC? PCS en m «]4 Mil i: \; alt #ji ci * Trajan's Gold Coinage, ad 112-117 Group F ik m n? mo VI V A ftT (3d HI til <>- V A in .1 I / at b 111 in 111 a (ti irf norj m rn nn ci f+L su em si* sid ft- fc» Plate 23 Groups 1-3 a57 Obverses Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 24 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 25 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 26 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 27 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 28 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 29 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 30 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 31 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 32 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112- Plale 33 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 34 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 35 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 36 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 37 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 Plate 38 S2 S20 S21 S6 S7 ■+ s9 Trajan's Gold Coinage, AD 112-117 eries The Liberty Reverse Type of the Connecticut Coppers Plate 40 The Liberty Reverse Type of the Connecticut Coppers Plate 41 The Liberty Reverse Type of the Connecticut Copp' Plate 42 16 22 23 24 The Liberty Reverse Type of the Connecticut Copp Plate 43 Acquisitions for 2006