Trajan, 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 34 mm, 28.75 g, 6 h), Rome, after 20 February 116-August 117. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate bust of Trajan to right, chest and right shoulder bare, with aegis on his left shoulder. Rev. REX PARTHIS DATVS / S C Trajan seated left, in military attire, on sella castrensis set on platform, holding parazonium in his left hand and crowning the Parthian king Parthamaspates with diadem; behind the emperor, officer standing left in military attire; Parthamaspates standing front, head to left, placing his right hand on his head; before him, Parthia kneeling to right, receiving the new king with open arms. BMC 1045. Cohen 328. RIC 668. Woytek 594t. A lovely coin with an impressive bust type and an attractive even dark patina. Faint scratches and with a small die break on the reverse, otherwise, good fine.


In 113, Trajan embarked on a campaign against Rome’s most powerful eastern rival, Parthia, aiming to wrest Armenia from its control. His efforts were initially successful, and in 116 he installed Parthamaspates, the son of the former Parthian king Osroes I, on the Armenian throne. This event is depicted on the reverse of the sestertius, which shows Trajan seated on a low platform, crowning Parthamaspates - who stands below him - with a wreath. After Trajan withdrew from the region, however, the reigning Parthian king, Osroes II, quickly retook Armenia, forcing Parthamaspates to flee back to the Romans. They subsequently placed him on the throne of Osroene, where he ruled as their client.