Trajan Annexes Arabia

Trajan (98-117) issued many types that make reference to historical events, including his bloodless annexation of Arabia in 106. I have a web site on Trajan's historical types:

http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Trajan/

I just added this tetradrachm to it:



Trajan as COS V, c. 110-114
25-23 mm. 10.65 grams.
This denomination is often called a "tridrachm" for its low weight compared to other tetradrachms, but PRC says the silver alloy is distinctly better such that the total silver in it makes it a tetradrachm.
AVTOP KAIC N#1028;P TRAIANOC C#1028;B Γ#1028;RM ΔAK
Laureate head right, drapery on far shoulder.
ΔHMAPX #1028;ΞYΠAT #1028; (i.e. COS V)
Arabia standing left holding out branch and holding up bunch of cinnamon sticks, camel to left at feet (The rear legs are not depicted, but all four legs are shown on some aurei with this type.)
McAlee page 194 "type C, light tetradrachm" notes it may have been struck at Tyre for use in Arabia or the dies may have been cut in Tyre for use in Arabia.
RPC III 4051/4058, Arabia, plate 179. "Probably made in Rome and Antioch (or at least the dies were made there) c. 110-114." "Silver content equal to the Syrian tetradrachms."
SNG ANS VI 1153, plate 39, attributed to the city of Bostra, capitol of Roman Arabia. W. Metcalf, in "The Tell Kalak Hoard and Trajan's Arabian mint," ANSMN 20 (1975), noted they are found in Israel and should not be attributed to Cappadocia as had been previously thought. There are drachms with the same reverse type, however with portrait in the style of Antioch tetradrachms (not illustrated here).

Show us something related!