★ A rare early tetrassarion of Trajan from Aegeae ★

CILICIA. Aegeae. Trajan, 98-117. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 30 mm, 22.16 g, 1 h), CY 145 = 98/9. ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΑ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟΝ ΚΑΙϹΑΡΑ Laureate head of Trajan to right. Rev. ΑΙΓΕΑΙΩΝ ΕΚΚΛΗϹΙΑ Ekklesia seated to left, holding patera in her right hand and rudder in her left; in field to left, EMP; in exergue, goat. Haymann 33. RPC III 3329. Rare. Good fine.

From an American collection, acquired before 2021.

This coin is dated to Trajan's first year of reign, explaining his unusually young portrait. Although the emperor was already 45 years old when he ascended the throne, he was certainly young compared to his predecessor and adoptive father Nerva, whose advanced age of 66 upon his assumption of power had caused great concern among the senatorial and military elite.