Trajano, Dupondio, Roma, S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI // VIA TRAIANA /SC.

Roman Empire - Trajan (98-117 AD), bronze dupondius from Rome mint, 112-114. A.D.

IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, radiate head r. with drapery on l. shoulder,
Rv. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, woman reclining l., holding wheel and branch; in ex. VIA TRAIANA / S C.
RIC 641 var (legend and bust); C 652 var (legend and bust).

Very fine condition. Nicely toned. Complete legends.

Built by Trajan at his own expense and commemorated with an arch at its beginning in Beneventum, as well as on his coinage, the Via Traiana was a quicker route for travellers from Rome to Brundisium on the coast. At 205 miles, despite being two miles longer than the Via Appia, the Via Traiana was a much less arduous and therefore faster option than the original Republican road because it traversed a significantly flatter route to the north. Strabo, in his Geography (6.3.7), indicates that the route of the Via Traiana, even though in his day little more than a mule track, saved the traveller a whole day's journeying.

Please see the photos for a better impression.

2019-2739 (6505)