★ Emblematic Reverse ★

Trajan, AD 98-117. AE Sestertius. (35,6 mm. 27,2 g.). AD 116-117, Rome. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate and draped bust right. Rev. ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAMIA IN POTESTATEM P R REDACTAE, S-C across field, emperor, in military attire, standing front, looking right, holding reversed spear and parazonium; at feet to left, Mesopotamia sitting right; at feet to right, the river-gods Tigris and Euphrates sitting left. RIC 642; Woytek 590; Cohen 39; Sear 3181. Historical issue commemorating the Trajan expansion to the middle east conquesting Armenia, the Romans then moved into Mesopotamia and captured the Parthian capital of Ktesiphon before advancing to the Persian Gulf. Highly interesting motif with personification of emblematic rivers Tigris and Euphrates but also Armenia with the typical hat. Very Rare desirable type with a lovely 'emerald green' natural patina and even only a very fine very natural without any manipulations which is very rare nowadays.