A silver coin minted under Emperor Trajan in AD 107 has emerged as a rare and significant find, offering a glimpse into a pivotal moment in Roman history. Issued shortly after Trajan recalled worn Republican coins from circulation, this coin is one of only two known examples to have come up for sale in the past 25 years.
Nigel Mills, a specialist in coins and artefacts at Noonans, emphasized the coin’s historical rarity. “This coin was issued by Emperor Trajan in AD 107 after he recalled all the worn Republican coins from circulation. At the time, some coins in circulation were over 300 years old, providing a fascinating record of Roman achievements,” Mills explained. He noted that the coin’s design replicates an earlier issue from 46 BC by Titus Carisius, an ally of Julius Caesar. The obverse features a bust of Juno Moneta, the Roman goddess of money, while the reverse displays tools for striking coins, including pincers, a hammer, and dies. “It’s a coin that illustrates the process of coin-making,” he added.
This rare find was discovered in November 2022 by Paul Capewell, a metal detectorist with over 40 years of experience. The 59-year-old from Selston, Nottinghamshire, took up metal detecting with his father and has continued to pursue it after retiring from the building trade following a heart attack, while awaiting further surgery.
“I’ve been visiting the same field for more than 20 years and have found a few Roman and Medieval coins, but this is my most exciting find so far!” Capewell said. Using his Equinox 800 metal detector, he initially detected only a few shotgun cartridges before receiving a promising signal just five metres from his parked car. “At a depth of eight inches, I found a silver Roman coin. I didn’t realise how rare the coin was until I showed photos to a coin dealer. It has since been recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme,” he explained.
The coin is set to be sold at Noonans Mayfair in an auction of Ancient Coins and Antiquities on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, with an estimated value of between £5,000 and £6,000 (about $8,300–$10,000 CAD). Capewell plans to split the proceeds with the landowner, using his portion to either invest in a new Minelab Manticore detector or help cover the costs of his upcoming heart surgery.