Notes: Trajan's final campaign against the Parthians was sparked by Parthia's replacement of the pro-Roman king of Armenia with one of their own in AD 114. Armenia had been a strategic and semi-independent kingdom which served as an important buffer between Parthia and Rome. The last conflict over this region, during Nero's reign, resulted in a delicate balance that stabilized the situation for over fifty years. The move by Parthia now upset the balance and posed a threat to Rome's wealthy Syrian cities. Trajan's campaign was swift and decisive; by 115, Armenia was restored as a Roman client state. To secure the eastern frontier, he then moved southward through Mesopotamia, and captured the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon, in 116. Although short-lived, these victories were celebrated on much of Trajan's later coinage (source cngcoins.com & acsearch.info).

Coin type: Roman Imperial

Ruler: Trajan (Augustus)

Region, City: Rome

Coin: Orichalcum Sestertius

IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P - Laureate & Draped Bust of Trajan Facing Right

ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAMIA IN POTESTATEM P R REDACTAE, S-C. - Trajan, Wearing Military Attire, Standing Facing, Head Right, Holding Reversed Spear & Parazonium; Around Feet, Armenia, Tigris and Euphrates: to Right, Armenia Resting Hand on Head Flanked by Euphrates & Tigris, Both Reclining on Urn from Which Water Flows & Holding Reed

Date: (116-117 AD)

Wt./Size/Axis: 26.42g / 32mm / 6H

Rarity: Rare

References: • RIC II 642

• Woytek 590v–3

• Banti 29

Trajan Orichalcum Sestertius. RARE & Historical Issue in EXCELLENT Condition!

Description