Auction Name: 2025 November 6 - 7 World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 32098

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/3126*32098

Trajan (AD 98-117). AV aureus (19mm, 7.31 gm, 7h). NGC XF 5/5 - 2/5, ex-jewelry, brushed. Rome, AD 114-117. IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER DAC PARTHICO, laureate bust of Trajan right, seen from front, aegis visible on left shoulder / P M TR P COS VI P P SPQR, Parthia (on right), head facing, and Parthian captive (on left) seated on ground in attitude of mourning, bow case to either side, at base of military trophy consisting of a post to which are affixed a conical helmet, cuirass, two oval shields, cloak, greaves, and a wheel; PARTHIA CAPTA in exergue. RIC II 325 var. (globe below bust). Calicó 1037. A stately, heroic bust featured on a historically significant type.

This aureus commemorates the final great campaign of Trajan's career, his invasion and (temporary) annexation of the Parthian Empire. This massive offensive carried Roman arms all the way to the Persian Gulf and led to Trajan being compared to the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great. But the campaign proved to be over-ambitious, and his health collapsed under the exertion of dealing with its aftermath. Trajan died in Cilicia on August 9, AD 117, after naming the capable Hadrian as his successor, who immediately abandoned the Parthian gains.

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