ARABIA. Bostra (?). Trajan, 98-117. Tridrachm (Silver, 23 mm, 9.09 g, 7 h), Rome, for circulation in the East, 112-114. ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙС ΝЄΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС СЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚ Laureate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ ΥΠΑΤO ς Cult image of Artemis Pergaia within distyle temple on podium of four steps; in pediment, eagle standing left with wings open, head to right. Ganschow X15b. RPC III 4069. SNG Copenhagen 206 ('Caesarea'). Well struck and with unusually clear details on the reverse. Harshly cleaned and with minor flan faults on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.


This piece depicts the cult statue of Artemis Pergaia with remarkable detail: the frontal bust of the goddess, wearing a polos and flanked by palm fronds, rests on a two-tiered, decorated pedestal. The distyle aedicula, set upon a pedestal with four steps, is further embellished on its pediment with an eagle with spread wings.