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Trajan. AD 98-117. AV Aureus (19mm, 6.69 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck after 20 February-circa autumn AD 116. IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER DAC PARTHICO, laureate bust right with bare chest, wearing aegis / P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, PARTHIA CAPTA in exergue, Parthia seated left, head facing, in attitude of mourning, and Parthian seated right in attitude of mourning below trophy. RIC II 325; Beckmann, Trajan Group E (dies e2/PC3); Woytek 560tt1 (same dies); Calicó 1036; BMCRE 606 (same dies); BN 864 (same dies); Biaggi 497. A few tiny edge marks. Near VF. Rare.
Three obverse types can be associated with this reverse. The most common shows Trajan laureate, draped, and cuirassed (RIC II 324); the middle, heroic type is similar to our coin, but without the globe at the base of the bust; and the third type is our coin. Early in AD 116, Trajan crossed the Tigris, captured Seleucia and Ctesiphon in mid-summer, and from there, made his way to the Persian Gulf. During Trajan's successful advance through Parthian territory, he remained in the guise of a victorious imperator, as evidenced by the first bust type. His successful conquest of Rome's chief rival introduced the heroic bust type, and particularly as evidenced by the aegis, signalled Trajan's association not only with the gods, but also Alexander the Great. Finally, the inclusion of the globe beneath the bust indicated that he had brought all the world under Roman control.
The final winners of all CNG 120 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 11-12 May 2022. CNG 120 – Session Three – Roman Republican and Imperatorial Coinage through Early Medieval and Islamic Coinage will be held Thursday morning, 12 May 2022 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.
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