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RIC II Trajan 667

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC II Trajan 667. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Trajan. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Trajan, laureate, draped, right, with the legend IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P.

The reverse shows trajan, bare-headed, in military dress, seated left on platform on right with prefect, presenting King Parthamaspates, standing left, to Parthia, kneeling in front of him, with the legend REX PARTHIS DATVS S C.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
7
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Trajan was Roman emperor from 98 to 117, succeeding Nerva as part of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. A successful soldier-emperor, he led major military campaigns that expanded the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent, including a war against the Parthian Empire that led to the incorporation of Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Assyria as Roman provinces. The Roman Senate granted him the title of optimus princeps.

During the Roman Empire, the denomination was useful for commerce. The reverse design features Trajan seated in military dress on a platform alongside a prefect, presenting King Parthamaspates to a kneeling figure representing Parthia, accompanied by the inscription REX PARTHIS DATVS S C. The obverse displays the emperor’s laureate bust alongside his formal titles, including OPTIMO, DAC, and PARTHICO, reflecting his military honours and senatorially bestowed distinction.

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Trajan

Design

Obverse
Bust of Trajan, laureate, draped, right
Reverse
Trajan, bare-headed, in military dress, seated left on platform on right with prefect, presenting King Parthamaspates, standing left, to Parthia, kneeling in front of him
Obverse legend
IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P
Reverse legend
REX PARTHIS DATVS S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC II Trajan 667
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P
Reverse legend to match
REX PARTHIS DATVS S C
Source note
Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Varieties

  • RIC II Trajan 668

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

Research required

  • Editorial verification required.
  • Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
  • Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.
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