IONIA. Smyrna. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Assarion (Bronze, 20 mm, 4.46 g, 12 h), Frontinus, proconsul, Myrton, stephanephoros and daughter of the people, and Regeinos, strategos, 84 AD. ΑΝΘΥ ΦΡΟΝΤЄΙΝΩ ΖΜΥΡ Bearded head of Herakles to right. Rev. ЄΠΙ ΜΥΡΤΟΥ ΡΗΓЄΙΝΟϹ / ΖΜΥΡ River-god reclining left on urn, holding reed in his right hand. Klose IV, Serie C, 42 (V14/R36). RPC II 1014. Some cleaning scratches and struck slightly off center, otherwise, very fine.


The proconsul mentioned on this coin is the famed Roman politician, general and author, Frontinus. He had a brilliant career under the Flavians, Nerva and Trajan, serving as governor of Britain and Asia, as overseer of Rome's aqueducts, and as a military commander in campaigns in Britain and along the Rhine. Frontinus was duly rewarded for his efforts with several consulships, including the prestigious office of consul ordinarius under Trajan in AD 100. His experience in civil and military matters led him to write two treatises, still extant today, one called De aquaeductu on Rome's aqueducts and one called Strategemata, which contained military stratagems drawn from Greco-Roman history and his own experience as a general.