AQVA TRAIANA Sestertius of Trajan, minted in Rome 111 CE

The moment to share with you one of my most significant acquisitions of 2024 has finally come. It is a highly sought-after sestertius of my favorite emperor, Trajan—on par with Marcus Aurelius.

Among the grand construction projects undertaken during Trajan's reign, fueled by the talents and vision of Apollodorus of Damascus and later by the vast spoils of the Dacian Wars, were such marvels as the construction of Trajan's Forum (complete with the Market Halls—the first shopping mall in history—Basilica Ulpia, and the iconic Trajan’s Column), the redevelopment of the Port of Ostia, Circus Maximus, baths, as well as the expansion of roads and aqueducts. These investments, featured on coins as "architectural types," have fascinated numismatists for centuries and remain highly coveted by coin collectors not only of this period of the Roman Empire.

This year, I had the opportunity (inter alia) to experience the highs and lows of searching for, and then resisting the temptation to buy, subpar examples of large bronze coins (preferably sestertii) featuring Trajan's Column. I fought a valiant (albeit hopeless) battle over Via Traiana but eventually managed, after another demanding campaign, to acquire the long-desired sestertius featuring Aqua Traiana.

Aqua Traiana was completed in 109 CE and supplied water to the western parts of Rome, particularly Trastevere, which had previously suffered from a lack of an independent drinking water source. The aqueduct drew water from the pristine springs around Lake Bracciano, a notable innovation compared to other water systems that often relied on rivers or lakes. Its design ensured a steady flow of water, both for daily use by residents and for the water mills on Janiculum Hill. It was one of Rome's most important aqueduct projects, addressing water supply issues in the city's rapidly developing districts. The water likely also reached Trajan's Baths, inaugurated the same year, in 109 CE.

The aqueduct remained functional until 537 CE, when it was destroyed during the Ostrogothic siege of Rome. It was later rebuilt in the Middle Ages and fully reconstructed in the 17th century by Pope Paul V, who renamed it Acqua Paola.

Now, a few words about the coin itself.

This sestertius was struck in Rome in 111 CE. It is cataloged as RIC 463 and MIR 359b. On the obverse, we see a fully legible, characteristically long Trajan's legend: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, accompanied by a fairly standard but pleasing portrait of Trajan, adorned with a laurel wreath and drapery over his left shoulder.

The true highlight of the coin is the reverse. The legend reads: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C AQVA TRAIANA. At the center, within an arched niche, rests the bearded Genius of the Aqueduct, holding a reed in one hand and leaning with the other on either an urn or a ship’s prow (as hypothesized by Professor Woytek for the latter variant). From a semi-circular depression below interrupted lines, water flows out. This niche might represent a castellum, a distribution tank where water from the aqueduct was stored and redirected.

The coin comes from the collection of Dr. W.R. (purchased in May 1974, making this a jubilee-year acquisition) and boasts excellent dimensions (33.2/32.5mm and 26.32g) and a condition that is, for me, dreamlike. Of course, this is in the context of this emission and my modest means. It’s not the rarest type, and weaker specimens can be acquired for relatively moderate sums, but higher-quality examples (to which I humbly add mine) almost always surface at major auctions, where they tend to reach results that encourage abandoning hope altogether. “Dum spiro, spero” I kept reminding myself, and now it graces my collection.

Lastly, I am just as pleased about the purchase as I am about finding the time (half a day) to compose this brief description and prepare proper photos and a video (the other half of the day). More exciting acquisitions await their “publishing window,” and I hope this won’t be the last addition of this kind this year.

PS Special greetings to those who had the chance to see this sestertius in person during this year’s Krakow edition of TWNA.

PS 2 I would be grateful for interactions and comments on this post to ensure it doesn’t immediately get lost among other entries.

Référence : MIR 359b, RIC 463, ex dr W.R. (purchased in May 1974)

Source : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDm9EY2uH...

Collection : Marcus Ulpius Traianus - The Optimus Princeps