Unfortunately, not the same dies.
The coin that started this
thread is in my opinion not original,
tooled at best, completely
fake at worst. The font on the
reverse is not correct for early issues of
Trajan, being too small and too square. I also don't like the construction of the arch. On the specimen on Matt's site, the specimen in the BN, the specimen
plated in
Banti and the specimen in
Calico, there are 2 steps below the columns, not one as on this coin. Also the size of the horses on this coin are proportionally too small compared to the other examples. This coin also appears to lack the two large trophies that should flank the horses, suggesting the engraver wasn't aware that trophies should be there. Also, on the other examples, the columns appear to be slightly in front of the arch itself giving the entire design a 3 dimensional look, whereas on this coin the columns are an integral
part of the arch. Finally the columns appear to be fluted but none of the other specimens show any fluting, though this could just be wear.
I'm also not happy with the relative low relief of the entire design.
A feature on the
obverse that bothers me is the knot of hair below the T in TRAIAN. On every other specimen I can find from this period, not just of this
reverse type, there is a slight indentation at this spot indicating the crown of Trajan's
head, whereas this coin has the noticeable knot of hair. The first coin on Matt's page and the BN specimen may actually be from this "same"
obverse die and both lack this feature.
I also find the even dark green
patina not 100% convincing as I've seen this color with the ever so slight earthen highlights on many a
tooled coin.
Barry Murphy