ARMENIA MINOR, Koinon of Armenia. Trajan, 98-117. 'Sestertius' (Bronze, 37 mm, 28.09 g, 12 h), Nicopolis ad Lycum, RY 17 and CY 43 = 113/4. AΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΝЄΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ϹЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚ ΤΟ ΖΙ Laureate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΑΡΜЄΝΙΑϹ ЄΤΟΥ ΜΓ Armenia, wearing tiara, seated left on shields, propping her head on her right hand in attitude of mourning; to left, trophy of arms. Kovacs 302. RPC III 2944. Very rare. An unusually complete example of this historically important issue. Good fine.




This extremely rare coin from the Armenian Koinon commemorates Trajan's conquest and annexation of Armenia in 114. It is dually dated, with the obverse reflecting the emperor's regnal year and the reverse featuring the civic era of Nicopolis ad Lycum, which was introduced in 71/2 following the dissolution of the Kingdom of Armenia Minor and its incorporation into the province of Galatia-Cappadocia. The coin's style and size closely resemble imperial sestertii, and the type is clearly influenced by Roman imperial propaganda, suggesting it was struck in support of, or by command from, Roman military forces. This is further supported by the fact that Nicopolis ad Lycum was located at a strategically significant crossroads on the route to the Armenian front.