Trajan, 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32 mm, 27.59 g, 6 h), Rome, circa 106-107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate head of Trajan to right, with aegis on his left shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI / S - C Roma standing front, head to left, holding Victory in her right hand and reversed spear in her left; at her feet to left, Dacian kneeling right and raising his arms towards her. BMC 774. Cohen -. RIC 485. Woytek 250c1. Attractive red and brown patina. Very fine.


Apostolo Zeno (1668-1750) was a Venetian librettist and humanist who worked as poet laureate in Vienna in 1715-1729, where he also curated the imperial coin collection of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI (1685-1740). His collection was preserved for more than two-hundred years, until eventually being sold by Dorotheum in 1955, thus forming one of the oldest and most celebrated pedigrees in ancient numismatics.