Æ - Trajan

Historical Context: This bronze Æ coin, issued in Antioch on the Orontes, dates to Emperor Trajan's reign (98-117 CE), a period marking the Roman Empire's greatest territorial expansion. Trajan, Optimus Princeps, oversaw vast building programs and successful military campaigns in Dacia and Parthia. Antioch, Roman Syria's capital, was a vital eastern metropolis and a crucial hub. Its coinage facilitated daily commerce in this region, underscoring Rome's control and the city's prosperity.

Artistry: Specific engravers remain anonymous, but this coin likely originated from a local Antiochene workshop, meticulously following official Roman imperial prototypes for the emperor's portraiture. The obverse typically featured a laureate bust of Trajan, executed in a classicizing style emphasizing his mature authority. Reverse designs on Antiochene bronzes commonly depicted local deities, civic symbols, or imperial allegories, blending Roman iconography with regional traditions.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a substantial 28mm flan weighing 13.81 grams, this Æ coin represents a significant provincial bronze module. For a laureate bust, high points prone to wear or weak strike include the wreath details, the emperor's hair above the forehead, and the highest parts of the drapery. Collectors prioritize examples with a well-centered strike, full flan coverage, and clear rendering of both obverse and reverse devices, as provincial bronzes frequently exhibit striking variability.