Trajan. AD 98-117. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.29 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 112-113.

Triton XXIII – Session Three – Roman Imperial Coinage Part II through World Coinage Part I
Lot: 720. Estimated: $ 500

Roman Imperial, Silver

Sold For $ 2 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Trajan. AD 98-117. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.29 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 112-113. IMP TRΛIΛNO AVG GER DΛC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate bust right, slight drapery / S • P • Q • R • OPTIMO PRINCIPI, VIA TRAIANA in exergue, Via Traiana, bare to waist, reclinging left, head turned back to right, holding wheel of eight spokes on right knee and resting left arm on rocks, holding branch in left hand. RIC II 266; Woytek 398b; Strack 179α; RSC 648; BMCRE 487-91; BN 671 var. (bust type). Minor flan flaw on obverse. EF. Well struck on a round flan.

From the San Vicente Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear (2003-2004).

This evocative reverse celebrates Via Traiana, depicting the highway as reclining female figure holding a wheel. This could refer to the Italian Via Trajana, constructed at the emperor’s expense from AD 109 to 113, which ran 205 miles from Brindisium to Beneventum and largely replaced the old Appian Way. A second major artery, the Via Traiana Nova, stretching from Syria to Egypt, was also constructed at about the same time as part of the runup to Trajan's offensive against the Parthian Empire.

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Three – Roman Imperial Coinage Part II through World Coinage Part II will be held Wednesday morning, 15 January 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.