31135: Trajan (AD 98-117). AR Restoration Issue denariu

Trajan (AD 98-117). AR Restoration Issue denarius (20mm, 3.52 gm, 7h). NGC Choice Fine 4/5 - 3/5. Rome, AD 102-104. Q CASSIVS-VEST, veiled bust of Vesta right, seen from front / IMP CAES TRAIAN AVG GER DAC P P REST, temple of Vesta surmounted by statue, curule bench within; voting urn in left field, tablet inscribed AC in right field. RIC II 796. The restoration issues of Trajan (AD 98-117) were intended to link his regime to the virtues of the Republic and previous deified (and successful) emperors, Vespasian among them. They had the dual purpose of introducing a new, slightly lighter monetary standard for both the gold and silver coinage. Earlier aurei and denarii were recalled, melted down, and replaced both with regular issues of Trajan and "restored" examples of the coins being replaced. These restitution issues were struck only in token numbers and remain extremely rare today. This original issue this type restores is a Roman Republican denarius of Q. Cassius Longinus, minted in 55 BC. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved