Trajan, AE Dupondius, Rome for use in Syria, 116 AD

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Description

Roman Imperial, Trajan, 98-117 AD, AE Dupondius (bronze, 9g, 25mm), Rome for use in Syria, 116 AD
Obv: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIM AVG GERM; Radiate and draped bust of Trajan to right
Rev: P M TR POT XX COS VI P P; around S C within wreath
Ref:  BMC 1090; RIC 645; Woytek 938v Rarity/Choice: Common, Good VF (somedeposit on the reverse otherwise, extremely attractive exhibiting red-brown patina)
Note: Marcus Ulpius Traianus, known as Trajan, reigned as Roman Emperor from AD 98 to 117. Trajan is celebrated for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and extensive public building projects. Under his rule, the Roman Empire reached its maximum territorial extent, including the conquest of Dacia (modern-day Romania) and parts of Parthia (modern-day Iran). Trajan’s reign is often considered a peak period of the Roman Empire in terms of expansion and prosperity. This Dupondius is a bronze coin made from orichalcum (a brass-like alloy), minted in Rome but intended for use in the province of Syria. The coin dates to AD 116, near the end of Trajan’s reign. This coin was minted during a period of significant military and administrative activity in the Roman Empire. In AD 116, Trajan was actively engaged in campaigns in the East, extending Roman control into Mesopotamia and Parthia. The issuance of coins for use in Syria underscores the importance of the province as a strategic and administrative center during these campaigns. Trajan’s titles on the coin reflect his extensive powers and honors accumulated over his reign. His repeated holding of tribunician power and consulship, along with the title of Pater Patriae, emphasizes his supreme authority and paternal role over the Roman state. The Dupondius was a mid-range denomination in Roman coinage, widely used for everyday transactions. This coin, with its clear imagery and inscriptions, served as a tool for imperial propaganda, reinforcing Trajan’s image as a victorious and benevolent ruler. The use of orichalcum, a material that mimics gold, adds a level of prestige to the coin, signifying its value and importance. The depiction of Trajan with a radiate crown on the obverse, a symbol traditionally associated with the sun god Sol and later used to distinguish higher denominations, further elevates his divine and imperial status. The wreath on the reverse symbolizes victory and honor, appropriate for an emperor celebrated for his military successes.

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