Lot 3709

Description

Trajan, (A.D. 98-117), AE dupondius, issued 105, Rome mint, (11.658 grams), obv. radiate head with aegis on far shoulder to right of Trajan, around IMP [CAES N]ERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, rev. arched single span bridge over river, below a boat, bridge in covered walkway gateway at each end, around S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C in exergue, (cf.S.3207, RIC 570, C.544). Well centred, dark tone, minor surface roughness, otherwise good very fine and very rare in this condition.

Modern research suggests that the bridge is the Pons Sublicius in Rome an ancient and venerated wooden structure which was frequently restored during flood damage. One of these restorations may well have taken place under Trajan as a great flood of the Tiber took place at this time. The bridge has frequently been previously identified as the famous bridge built across the Danube in 104.