Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 117 19-20 May 2021
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Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 23.91 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 101-102. Laureate bust right, slight drapery / Pax seated left, holding olive branch and scepter. RIC II 432 var. (bust type); Woytek 107b; Banti 337. Glossy green patina, minor smoothing. EF. Boldly struck, with a magnificent portrait.
When Trajan entered his fourth consulship in AD 101, the Roman Empire seemed securely at peace, as celebrated by the figure of Pax on the reverse of his attractive sestertius. These allusions were possibly a ruse, however, as Trajan was already planning a massive campaign against the Dacian King Decebalus, who had humiliated Roman armies on two occasions during Domitian's reign.
When Trajan entered his fourth consulship in AD 101, the Roman Empire seemed securely at peace, as celebrated by the figure of Pax on the reverse of his attractive sestertius. These allusions were possibly a ruse, however, as Trajan was already planning a massive campaign against the Dacian King Decebalus, who had humiliated Roman armies on two occasions during Domitian's reign.