Trajan, 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 36 mm, 29.33 g, 6 h), Rome, circa 107-109. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI / S C Monumental arched and roofed bridge spanning river; on either side, monumental entrance gate with arched openings and surmounted by groups of statues; below the bridge, small boat rowing to left in the waves. BMC 847. Cohen 542. RIC 569. Woytek 314bD. A very attractive coin, struck on an unusually broad and heavy flan and with a finely detailed architectural reverse. Good very fine.



The reverse of this sestertius possibly depicts the bridge that Trajan commissioned in 104, designed by the renowned architect Apollodorus of Damascus, to span the Danube in preparation for his second Dacian campaign. Another possibility is the Pons Sublicius, which crossed the Tiber in Rome, though this seems less likely, as there is no evidence that Trajan undertook its reconstruction or renovation during his reign.

The bridge, as depicted here, features a single span with two end towers, each surmounted by statuary groups. However, the Pons Sublicius must have had at least two arches, while Apollodorus’ Danube bridge had nineteen. If either of these bridges is indeed represented, the engraver took significant artistic license.