Trajan, 98-117, AE23

Trajan, AE23, Roman Provincial, reign of Trajan, minted in Aradus, 116/117 AD. The coin weighs 10.54 grams with a typical diameter of 23 mm for this type. The obverse features the veiled head of a goddess facing right, accompanied by a small laureate bust of Emperor Trajan, also facing right. The reverse is inscribed with "ΑΡΑΔΙΩΝ" and "ΕΟΤ" within the field. The strike is well-centered with clear details, indicative of its provincial minting practices. This coin is catalogued as RPC III, 3821. This coin holds historical significance as it was minted in the final year of Trajan's reign, a period marked by his expansive military campaigns and consolidation of the Roman Empire's borders. Produced in the ancient city of Aradus, the coin reflects the integration of local iconography and language into Roman provincial coinage, serving as a testament to the diverse cultural and political influences in the eastern parts of the Roman Empire. The presence of a local deity alongside the emperor underscores the importance of local religious practices being honored alongside imperial authority.