Trajan, 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 34 mm, 25.63 g, 6 h), Rome, 114-116. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate and draped bust of Trajan to right, seen from behind. Rev. IMPERATOR VIIII / S C Trajan seated right on sella castrensis set on high platform, two officers at his side, haranguing a group of five soldiers who hold a horse, two signa and an aquila; before platform, lictor with fasces standing right. BMC 1019. Cohen 178. RIC 658. Woytek 549v. A lovely example of this popular issue with a wonderful green patina and excellent reverse details. Minor breaks in patina on the edge and with a light old scratch on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.



Trajan was the first and only Roman emperor to be granted the title 'Optimus Princeps' by the Senate, and for good reason. A moderate ruler and highly skilled general, he maintained a good relationship with the Senate and led the empire to its greatest expansion, annexing Dacia in the north and reaching the Persian Gulf in the east. The reverse of this beautiful sestertius shows Trajan seated on a platform, addressing his troops, from whom he gets proclaimed imperator. Such acclamations were usually made after military successes and carefully counted. In the case of the present coin, it records Trajan's eigth acclamation, which he probably received after the fall of Singara in 115 during his Parthian campaign.