Search


CNG Bidding Platform

Information

Products and Services



Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 
109, Lot: 215. Estimate $150.
Sold for $165. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

TRAJAN. 98-117 AD. Æ Dupondius (27mm, 13.79 gm). Struck circa 106 AD. Radiate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / Trajan on horseback right, throwing javelin at Dacian falling before horse. RIC II 545 var. (no drapery); Cohen 503. VF, dark green patina.

Suspicious of Decebalus and eager to bring Dacia under Roman control, Trajan invaded the territory in 101 AD. After a hard-fought campaign, imposed a harsh treaty on Decebalus while stationing legionary garrisons there. In 105 AD a second war ensued, prompted by the king’s infractions of the treaty. The Romans quickly captured the Dacian capital and in 106 AD Decebalus, hunted down, committed suicide rather than risk capture.

The traditional account of Decebalus’ end, in which he commits suicide at the moment of capture, is based upon the depiction of the event on Trajan’s Column in Rome. The discovery of the tombstone of Ti. Claudius Maximus, the explorator, or scout, directly involved in the action offers an alternate view. According to the inscription, he personally dispatched the king as he was cornered, bringing then the king’s head back to Trajan­an event depicted on the tombstone and on this coin.