Roman Emperor Trajan, Artemis Didrachm, Cappadocia AD112-117

Description

Heading: Emperor Trajan Artemis Didrachm AD112-117

Denomination: Silver didrachm

Period: Roman imperial, provincial mint

Date: cAD 112-117

Origin: Cappadocia, Caesarea mint

Condition: Very fine, slight roughness to obverse, a rare coin

Obverse: Laureate head, right, legend in Greek AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPB ΔAK

Reverse: Bust of Artemis, left holding spear and patera, ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO Ϛ

Size and Weight: 22mm, 6.8g

References: RPC 3006, Sydenham 196a

Features and Provenance: Ex Naumann sale

Trajan is considered to be the most successful emperor the Roman Empire ever had, despite reigning for only 19 years. He was born in 53 AD and adopted by Nerva in 97 AD whose weak leadership needed a popular military figure to improve his standing. However, in a few months Nerva died and Trajan ascended to the throne. He is famous for his building works, building the first shopping mall, Trajan’s Market. It was a large complex allowing merchants to sell their wares from all over the nation from its stalls, offices and forum. It survives today, although in ruins, in Rome. 

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible