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Roman Denarius A.D. - Currency Numismatics,
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Sestertius of Trajan 98-117AD
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Roman Orichalcum Sestertius of Trajan (98-117 C.E.), Probably the Finest Known Heroic Numismatic Portrait of the Emperor
Trajan, 98 - 117
Sestertius 108-111, Æ 25.19 g. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate bust l., full chest exposed, with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMI PRINCIPI S - C Ceres standing l., holding sceptre and corn ears over modius. C 478 var. (cuirassed l.). BMC 771. RIC 478 var. (cuirassed l.). CBN 512.
Rare. A magnificent portrait of the emperor in heroic pose, possibly the finest on a sestertius of Trajan, struck in high relief on a very broad flan. Lovely untouched light green patina and extremely fine
Many of Rome’s emperors identified themselves with Hercules, the demi-god who offered many different aspects which an emperor could emulate. Trajan, who styled himself after Hercules the conqueror, was no exception, as this boastful issue shows. Not only does it have a well-sculpted, heroic bust of Trajan reminiscent of Hercules, but its reverse inscription identifies Trajan as optimo principi, the best of emperors. Hill places the optimo principi issues from 103 to 115, and this particular coin in 107, arguably the zenith of Trajan’s long and successful reign. He was in the midst of celebrations for his decennalia and was basking in the triumph he had been awarded for his victory in the Second Dacian War, which concluded in 106 with the suicide of the Dacian king Decebalus, whose severed head was displayed in Rome. It was an intoxicating moment for this vainglorious emperor, who may have believed his enterprises were favoured by Hercules. Dio tells us that Trajan took great pride in having been awarded the cognomen Optimus, valuing it above all other titles combined, and Pliny reports that upon their accessions to the throne, the senate addressed all future emperors with the well-wish that they might be felicior Augusto, Trajano melior, “Happier than Augustus, better than Trajan.”
Trajan, 98 - 117
Sestertius 108-111, Æ 25.19 g. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate bust l., full chest exposed, with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMI PRINCIPI S - C Ceres standing l., holding sceptre and corn ears over modius. C 478 var. (cuirassed l.). BMC 771. RIC 478 var. (cuirassed l.). CBN 512.
Rare. A magnificent portrait of the emperor in heroic pose, possibly the finest on a sestertius of Trajan, struck in high relief on a very broad flan. Lovely untouched light green patina and extremely fine
Many of Rome’s emperors identified themselves with Hercules, the demi-god who offered many different aspects which an emperor could emulate. Trajan, who styled himself after Hercules the conqueror, was no exception, as this boastful issue shows. Not only does it have a well-sculpted, heroic bust of Trajan reminiscent of Hercules, but its reverse inscription identifies Trajan as optimo principi, the best of emperors. Hill places the optimo principi issues from 103 to 115, and this particular coin in 107, arguably the zenith of Trajan’s long and successful reign. He was in the midst of celebrations for his decennalia and was basking in the triumph he had been awarded for his victory in the Second Dacian War, which concluded in 106 with the suicide of the Dacian king Decebalus, whose severed head was displayed in Rome. It was an intoxicating moment for this vainglorious emperor, who may have believed his enterprises were favoured by Hercules. Dio tells us that Trajan took great pride in having been awarded the cognomen Optimus, valuing it above all other titles combined, and Pliny reports that upon their accessions to the throne, the senate addressed all future emperors with the well-wish that they might be felicior Augusto, Trajano melior, “Happier than Augustus, better than Trajan.”
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