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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Adoptive Emperors| ▸ |Trajan||View Options:  |  |  |   

Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.

Marcus Ulpius Traianus, a brilliant general and administrator, was adopted and proclaimed emperor by the aging Nerva in 98 A.D. Regarded as one of Rome's greatest emperors, Trajan was responsible for the annexation of Dacia, the invasion of Arabia and an extensive and lavish building program across the empire. Under Trajan, Rome reached its greatest extent. Shortly after the annexation of Mesopotamia and Armenia, Trajan was forced to withdraw from most of the new Arabian provinces. While returning to Rome to direct operations against the new threats, Trajan died at Selinus in Cilicia.Roman Dominions in the Time of Trajan

|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|NEW
Regarded as one of Rome's greatest emperors, Trajan was responsible for the annexation of Dacia, the invasion of Arabia and an extensive and lavish building program across the empire. Under Trajan, Rome reached its greatest extent.
MA114205. Silver denarius, RIC II 68, RSC II 249, SRCV II -, F, centered on a tight flan, toned, scratches/scrapes, weight 2.943 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 102 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right; reverse P M TR P COS IIII P P (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia Potestas, Consul Quartum, Pater Patre), Victory seated left, patera in right hand, palm frond in left hand; ex Priapus Numismatics e-auction 1 (5 Nov 2023), lot 742; $70.00 (€65.80)
 


Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Caesarea, Cappadocia

|Cappadocia|, |Hadrian,| |11| |August| |117| |-| |10| |July| |138| |A.D.,| |Caesarea,| |Cappadocia||hemidrachm|NEW
Kayseri, Turkey was originally named Mazaca. It was renamed Eusebia by Ariarathes V Eusebes, King of Cappadocia, 163 - 130 B.C. The last king of Cappadocia, King Archelaus, renamed it "Caesarea in Cappadocia" to honor Caesar Augustus upon his death in 14 A.D. Muslim Arabs slightly modified the name into Kaisariyah, which became Kayseri when the Seljuk Turks took control, c. 1080 A.D.

RPC Online lists the date "AD 119/20" for this coin issue of year 4 (Δ) which must surely be incorrect if Hadrian became emperor in August 117 A.D. We therefore are following the date given in Metcalf.
RS113850. Silver hemidrachm, RPC III Online 3075 (31 spec.); Metcalf 86b; Sydenham Caesarea 256; SNGvA 6412; SNG Hunt I 2228; SNG Fitzwilliam VII 5451; BMC Galatia p. 62, 142, F, well-centered with full legend, obv. die wear, light pitting on rev., weight 1.558 g, maximum diameter 15.8 mm, die axis 0o, Cappadocia, Caesarea (Kayseri, Turkey) mint, 120 - 121 A.D.; obverse AYTO KAIC TPAI AΔPIANOC CEBACT, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse Nike advancing right, holding wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand and over left shoulder, ET Δ (year 4) in lower right field; ex Leu Numismatik auction 24 (3-6 Dec 2022), lot 5078 (part of); $70.00 (€65.80)
 


Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Attaea, Mysia

|Other| |Mysia|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.,| |Attaea,| |Mysia||AE| |20|
Attaea appears to be known only from its coinage. Its site is uncertain but, based on coin finds, may be Dikeliköy, Turkey.

As an example of how the German volumes of Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands (The Ancient coins of Northern Greece) are so utterly thorough, AMNG IV goes so far as to note (under each catalog number) which coins of the present type depict the Senate with "hair rolled" as opposed to the style with "curly hair falling down." Our prim and proper coin shows off the former hairdo.
RP113947. Bronze AE 20, AMNG IV 371; RPC Online III 1756; Winterthur 2525; SNG Hunterian I 1345-1346 var. (obv. leg.); SNG Cop 32 var. (same); BMC Mysia p. 15, 5 var. (same), gF, large oblong flan, clean smooth surfaces, flan cracks, uneven strike with weak areas, weight 2.742 g, maximum diameter 20.3 mm, die axis 180o, Attaea (Dikeliköy[?], Turkey) mint, c. 98-117 A.D.; obverse A-Y NEPBA - TPAIANO, laureate head right; reverse ATTA-EITΩN, draped, unbearded bust of the Senate right, hair rolled; $50.00 (€47.00)
 


Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Irenopolis, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.,| |Irenopolis,| |Cilicia||AE| |18|
Irenopolis or Eirenopolis or Eirenoupolis, known briefly as Neronias in honor of the Roman emperor Nero, was in northeastern Cilicia, not far from the Calycadnus river, on the site of modern Düzici, Osmaniye province, Turkey, at the mouth of the Darb al-'Ain pass. It was probably founded by Antiochus IV of Commagene. Coins of the city show that Asclepius and Hygeia were worshiped there, probably connected with the natural spring of the area. The city is mentioned by Hierocles, Nicephore, and Calliste. Christianity first came to the area in the 1st century; the mountain pass location made it an early candidate for missionaries. The city came under Muslim rule following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.
RP114042. Bronze AE 18, Karbach Eirenopolis 20-23, RPC Online III 3389, SNG BnF 2251, SNG Leypold 2395, SNG Tahberer 590, SNG Levante 1604, Ziegler 1330, aVF, green patina, encrustation, spots of corrosion (stable) , weight 3.424 g, maximum diameter 18.4 mm, die axis 0o, Irenopolis (Düzici, Turkey) mint, 98 - 99 A.D.; obverse AYTO KAICAP TPAIANOC (Imperator Caesar Traianus), laureate head right; reverse IPHNOΠOΛEITΩN ZM (year 47), Eirene-Nemesis standing right, winged, drawing out drapery from neck with right hand, caduceus downward in left hand, wheel at feet on right; $90.00 (€84.60)
 


|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|
In 107 A.D., Trajan received an ambassador from India. In 108 A.D., "doctor's offices" opened in Rome replacing "house calls.
RS113935. Silver denarius, Woytek 270b, BnF IV 276, RIC II 128, RSC II 74, BMCRE III 328, Hunter II 104, Strack I 128, SRCV II 3129, EF, centered on a tight flan, attractive portrait, attractive toning, weight 3.505 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 107 - 108 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Victory standing slightly left, naked to hips, raising wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand; from the Chris Noah Collection (purchased spring 2006); $330.00 (€310.20)
 


|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|
After defeating the surrounding mountain fortresses, in 106 A.D. Trajan captured Sarmizegetusa, the Dacian capital. Decebalus fled but, followed by the Roman cavalry, committed suicide rather than face capture. On 11 Aug 106 A.D., the south-eastern part of Dacia (modern Romania) was made the Roman province Dacia. Veterans of the legions were given land in the new province for their service in the Roman army.
RS113666. Silver denarius, Woytek 194b, RSC II 405a, BMCRE III 213, Strack I 93, BnF IV 203 var. (no drapery), RIC II 190a var. (aegis), SRCV II 3161, Hunter II -, VF, well centered, flow lines, light scratches, weight 3.396 g, maximum diameter 17.7 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 106 - 107 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate head right, slight drapery on left shoulder; reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Pax standing left, draped, olive-branch downward in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, right foot on the head and shoulders of a Dacian captive left on left; ex Stack's Bowers auction August 2023, lot 53487 (part of); ex Gitbud & Naumann e-auction 20 (3 Aug 2014), lot 609; scarce; $140.00 (€131.60)
 


|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|
Trajan was a brilliant soldier and administrator. He restored the Senate to its full status, started a welfare program to feed and care for poor children, directed an extensive building program across the empire, annexed Dacia and invaded Arabia. Under Trajan, Rome reached its greatest extent. And he managed to do all this without a deficit or increasing taxes.
RS113667. Silver denarius, Woytek 222b, RSC II 462, BMCRE III 167, Strack I 101, RIC II 169, BnF IV -, SRCV II -, Hunter II -, Choice gVF, well centered, flow lines, minor flan flaws, mild rev. die wear, edge cracks, weight 3.151 g, maximum diameter 20.1 mm, die axis 210o, Rome mint, 103 - 111 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GERM DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust right, drapery on far shoulder; reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Aequitas standing slightly left, head left, scales in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; ex Stack's Bowers auction August 2023, lot 53487 (part of); ex Zuzim Judea; $160.00 (€150.40)
 


|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|
Victory or Nike is seen with wings in most statues and paintings, with one of the most famous being the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Most other winged deities in the Greek pantheon had shed their wings by Classical times. Nike is the goddess of strength, speed, and victory. Nike was a very close acquaintance of Athena and is thought to have stood in Athena's outstretched hand in the statue of Athena located in the Parthenon. Victory or Nike is also one of the most commonly portrayed figures on Greek and Roman coins.
RS113672. Silver denarius, Woytek 95a, RSC II 237, BnF IV 118 , RIC II 54, BMCRE III 98, Strack I 44, Hunter II -, SRCV II -, Choice aVF, flow lines, small scratches, small edge cracks, weight 3.308 g, maximum diameter 19.0 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 101 - 102 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right; reverse P M TR P COS IIII P P (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia Potestas, Consul Quartum, Pater Patre), Abundantia-Securitas seated left on crossed cornucopias, scepter in right hand; ex Stack's Bowers auction August 2023, lot 53487 (part of); ex York Coins; $140.00 (€131.60)
 


|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|
The "ship of state," famously expounded by Plato in the Republic, likens the governance of a state to the command of a vessel. The Romans believed that Fortuna, the goddess of luck and fortune, after deserting the Persians and Assyrians, saw Alexander perish as she flew over Syria and Egypt, and at last arriving on Mount Palatine, cast aside her wings to live in Rome forever. This coin was dedicated to Fortuna, depicting holding a rudder, for steering the Roman ship of state to prosperity, symbolized by the cornucopia.
RS113673. Silver denarius, Woytek 191b, RSC II 481, BMCRE III 203, RIC II 178, Hunter II 57, Strack I 107, BnF IV 202 var. (no drapery), SRCV I -, gVF, flow lines, scratches, weight 3.234 g, maximum diameter 18.0 mm, die axis 210o, Rome mint, 104 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate head right, slight drapery on left shoulder; reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Fortuna seated left, rudder held by tiller in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; ex Stack's Bowers auction August 2023, lot 53487 (part of); ex Freeman and Sear; $160.00 (€150.40)
 


|Trajan|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.||denarius|
"MARCVS VLPIVS TRAIANVS, born near Seville, Spain in 52 to Marcia and Marcus Ulpius Trajanus, pursued a military career and was appointed Governor of Germania Superior by Nerva in 97 shortly before being adopted by him. He became Augustus upon Nerva's death on January 25, 98. Although best known for adding Dacia to the Empire by a series of wars (101-106), he also built many public works and administrated ably. The Empire reached its maximum size in 117 after his Parthian victories (114-117). He died on August 8, 117, was deified, and buried in his monumental column in Rome." - from Moneta Historical Research by Tom Schroer
RS113659. Silver denarius, Woytek 66a, RSC II 219, RIC II 32, BMCRE III 68, BnF IV 76, Strack I 34, Hunter II 24, SRCV II 3144, F, well centered, scratches, flow lines, die wear, weight 3.326 g, maximum diameter 19.0 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 100 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right; reverse P M TR P COS III P P (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia Potestas, Consul Tertium, Pater Patre - High priest, holder of tribunitian power, consul the 3rd time, father of the country), Abundantia seated left on chair formed from two crossed cornucopias, scepter in right hand, left elbow resting on back of chair; ex Stack's Bowers auction August 2023, lot 53487 (part of); ex Nemesis Ancients & Antiquities; $120.00 (€112.80)
 




  






OBVERSE LEGENDS

BONEVENTLIBO
DIVOTRAIANO
DIVOTRAIANOPARTHAVGPATRI
DIVVSTRAIANVSPATERAVGVSTVS
IMPCAESNERTRAIANOOPTIMOAVGGERDAC
IMPCAESNERTRAIANOPTIMAVGGERDACPARTHICOPMTRPCOSVIPP
IMPCAESNERTRAIANOPTIMAVGGERDACPMTRPCOSVIPP
IMPCAESNERTRAIANOPTIMAVGGERMDAC
IMPCAESNERTRAIANOPTIMAVGPMTRPCOSVI
IMPCAESNERVAETRAIANOAVGGERDACPMTRPCOSVPP
IMPCAESNERVAETRAIANOAVGGERDACPMTRPCOSVIPP
IMPCAESNERVATRAIANAVGGERM
IMPCAESNERVATRAIANAVGGERMDACICVSPM
IMPCAESNERVATRAIANAVGGERMPM
IMPCAESNERVATRAIANAVGGERMPMTRPPP
IMPCAESNERVATRAIANOGERM
IMPCAESNERTRAIANAVG
IMPCAESNERTRAIANOOPTIMOAVGGERDAC
IMPCAESNERTRAIANOOPTIMOAVGGERDACPARTHICOPMTRPCOSVIPP
IMPCAESNERTRAIANOOPTIMOAVGGERM
IMPCAESTRAIANAVGGERDACPPREST
IMPCAESTRAIANAVGGERM
IMPNERVATRAIANAVGGERMPM
IMPNERVACAESTRAIANAVGGERMPM
IMPNERVACAESTRAIANAVGGERMPMTRPPP
IMPNERVATRAIANVSAVGGERDACICVS
IMPTRAIANOAVGGERDACPMTRP
IMPTRAIANOAVGGERDACPARTHICO
IMPTRAIANOAVGGERDACPMTRPCOSVPP
IMPTRAIANOAVGGERDACPMTRPCOSVDESVI
IMPTRAIANOAVGGERDACPMTRPCOSVIPP
IMPTRAIANOPTIMAVGGERMDAC
IMPTRAIANOOPTIMOAVGGERDACPMTRP
IMPTRAIANOPIOFELAVGPP
IMPTRAIANVSAVGGERDACPMTRPCOSVIPP
IMPTRAIANVSAVGGERMDACICVS


REFERENCES

Besombes, P. Bibliothèque Nationale, Catalogue des Monnaies de l'Empire Romain, IV Trajan (98-117 après J.-C.). (Paris, 2008).
Banti, A. & L. Simonetti. Corpus Nummorum Romanorum. (Florence, 1972-1979).
Calicó, E. The Roman Avrei, Vol. I: From the Republic to Pertinax, 196 BC - 193 AD. (Barcelona, 2003).
Cayón, J. Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano, Vol. I: De Pompeyo Magno a Matidia (Del 81 a.C. al 117 d.C.). (Madrid, 1984).
Cohen, H. Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l'Empire Romain, Vol. 2: Nerva to Antoninus Pius. (Paris, 1883).
Hill, P. The Dating and Arrangement of the Undated Coins of Rome, A.D. 98-148. (London, 1970).
Mattingly, H. & R. Carson. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Vol. 3: Nerva to Hadrian. (London, 1936).
Mattingly H. & E. Sydenham. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. II: Vespasian to Hadrian. (London, 1926).
McAlee, R. The Coins of Roman Antioch. (Lancaster, PA, 2007).
Robinson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet. II. Trajan to Commodus (London, 1971).
Seaby, H. & R. Loosley. Roman Silver Coins, Vol. II: Tiberius to Commodus. (London, 1979).
Sear, D. Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol. II: The Accession of Nerva to the Overthrow of the Severan Dynasty AD 96 - AD 235. (London, 2002).
Simic, V. & M. Vasic. "La monaie des mines romaines de I'llyrie" in RN 1977.
Strack, P. Untersuchungen zur römischen Reichsprägung des zweiten Jahrhunderts, Teil 1: Die Reichsprägung zur Zeit des Traian. (Stuttgart, 1931).
Toynbee, J. Roman medallions. ANSNS 5. (New York, 1944).
Vagi, D. Coinage and History of the Roman Empire. (Sidney, 1999).
Woytek, B. Die Reichsprägung des kaisers Traianus (98-117). MIR 14. (Vienna, 2010).

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