TRAJANs engraver who had the artistic ability to create and show the Emperor

in a proud, powerful and strong portrait, as a piece of ART in miniature format.

He gave this 'Eye Appeal' and now we have a single piece that has survived as it
was struck in Bronze 2000 years ago with a wonderful natural patination

Trajan Sestertius (Orichalcum, 34mm, 23.22 g), Rome, c. 117 AD

IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate bust of Trajan to right, drapery
on far shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C Trajan, in armour, on horseback to right, hurling
spear at fallen Dacian below him.
A superb coin with a fine portrait, wonderful detail and an exceptionally attractive reverse, deep green
patina. Well struck and centered. Extremely fine.
ex Mnzen und Medaillen 81, 18 September 1995, 273. Nomos 15 May 2013, 167.
On the reverse of this piece we see Trajan, in the guise of a heroic warrior, riding down the Dacian
enemy. The conquest of Dacia was of great importance (as seen on the reliefs of Trajans Column in
Rome), both for safeguarding the empire and providing a vast treasure of gold and silver. Trajan, having
crossed the Ister by means of the bridge, conducted the war with safe prudence rather than with haste,
and eventually, after a hard struggle, vanquished the Dacians.
In the course of the campaign he himself performed many deeds of good generalship and bravery, and
his troops ran many risks and displayed great prowess on his behalf. It was here that a certain
horseman, after being carried, badly wounded, from the battle in the hope that he could be healed,
when he found that he could not recover, rushed from his tent (for his injury had not yet reached his
heart) and, taking his place once more in the line, perished after displaying great feats of valour.`