Nomos 10

Trajan, 98-117. As (Orichalcum, 22mm, 8.35 g 6), Rome, February 116 - early August 117. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GERM Radiate and draped bust of Trajan to right. Rev. DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P around S C within laurel wreath. BN 953ff. Cohen 122. RIC 644. An attractive and well struck example with a fine olive-brown patina. Extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection.

This coin comes from one of the exceptional issues that were produced in Rome for use in a specific province or region of the Empire; in this case, Asia. It is clearly set apart from the normal Rome issues by its unusual size (it is smaller than an As but larger than a Semis), its unexpected metal (orichalcum) and the emperor’s radiate crown (appropriate for dupondii but not for anything smaller). Modern research has shown that the issuance of such unusual issues included coins produced with legends in Latin and Greek, and varying denominations (tetradrachms for both Antioch and Alexandria, for example). In some cases, as here, the struck coins were shipped from Rome but other issues were almost certainly struck locally from dies sent from Rome.