Featured Trajan the road builder.

Just received this neat Trajan Dupondius celebrating the the Via Traiana, constructed at Trajan's own expense between AD 109 and AD 113, replaced the Via Appia as the usual route between Brindisium to Beneventum, serving as an important link between Rome and the East.
Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Dupondius (13.32 g, 6h). Struck circa AD 112-115. Radiate bust right, wearing aegis / VIA TRAIANA, female (Via Traiana) reclining left, holding wheel on knee and branch; S C in exergue. RIC II 641 corr. var. (no aegis); BMCRE 998 note. SR 3226. Purchased March 2019, Moneta (VCoins) Thanks Kenn.
A map below shows Trajan's new road Via Traiana branching off from Via Appia at Benevento.

One of the best investments ever made by the Romans was their road system, which included at least 250,000 miles of roads designed for high-speed travel that was reliable virtually year-round. No less than eleven of these major roads entered Rome, giving rise to the phrase "all roads lead to Rome". The system gave the Romans a distinct advantage over their enemies in war and their partners in commerce; in essence, it gave them an unparalleled ability to grow and to maintain their empire. The construction of these super-roads was no mean feat: it required engineering expertise, time, and significant resources. It also required a powerful centralized government and a societal belief that the enormous short-term expenses of construction were justifiable in view of the long-term benefits that would accrue. With this in mind it is hardly surprising that the construction of roads (and other architectural feats, such as the building of aqueducts, harbours and temples) is commemorated on coinage. Trajan was never shy about using coinage for this purpose, and here he celebrates his via Traiana, a new road in Italy linking Beneventum and Brundisium. It took a path alongside the famous Appian Way, which by then had been used as a military highway for more than four centuries.

This photo of a section of Via Traiana courtesy of TripAdvisor.
I will be visiting Bari and the Puglia region in September and hope to see some of this road.
Would love to see your wheel coins, Trajan or Southern Italy coins.

 

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fantastic coin and great info AA!

 

As I recall Via Traiana was a bit longer than Via Appia but the extra miles were offset by better terrain so the time to travel was less. Matching denarius:

 

Here's my latest (and littlest) bronze from Trajan:


Trajan, AD 98-117.
Roman AE quadrans, 3.68 g, 16.4 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 98-117.
Obv: IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG, laureate bust right, drapery on left shoulder.
Rev: She-wolf walking right; SC in exergue.
Refs: RIC 692; BMCRE 1060; Cohen 338; RCV --; Woytek 599b1.

 

I have always loved this Trajan type and this is such a wonderful example. Good write-up too!

 

That's a very sweet coin.

 

Great example Doug, with full reverse legends something lacking on mine unfortunately, although mines not bad for wear the top half off the reverse hasn't fared anywhere as well as the rest of the coin.

 

Most of us will have to allow a different standard for bronzes. A small improvement in my denarius might double its price but the same upgrade level would add 10x to a dupondius. I'd call your coin quite nice even though it lacks some legends. Sure we would like full legends and smooth surfaces on all our coins but those who insist on perfection have fewer coins.

 

Wonderful writup @ancientaussie ! Love the coin!

Romans had an incredible Legionary system that was so effective that it represented an incredibly small percentage of the total population. However, what made the success of the Empire was their well thought out road building, their effective development of cement, and their drive for commerce. Amazing infrastructure.

WHEEL


RR Aes Grave AE Quadrans 230 BCE Dog 3 pellets Six spoked wheel 59.8g Craw 26-6a Th-Vecchi 34

 

Summed up perfectly, love your coin especially nice patina.

 

Fantastic little coin, one of my favorite Quadrans. Especially nice patina.

 

First AR Heavy Denarius of the Roman Republic... paid for the original building of the Via Appia...


RR Anon AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm 310-300 BCE 20mm 7.28g Mars-Horse Romano FIRST minted

ENGINEERING FEAT:
Kennith Harl states that this was the first SILVER coin minted by Rome, AND it was to pay for the building of the VIA APPIA (first major road by Rome)... a hallmark achievement that put Rome on the road to greatness.

 

Sorry gang. Just had a power failure, posting went ape. Perhaps a Moderator could delete the extra posts...

 

Fantastic silver, very very historic the silver coin that started it all, congrats for having such an important piece in your collection.

 

Instead of starting a new thread I can show my coin here. I don't have to add any information cause @Ancient Aussie had said it all
This was certainly one in my top 10 list for this year. Love the history.



Trajan, denarius.
Rome mint.
3.12 g. 19 mm.
Obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate bust right.
Rev. SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, VIA TRAIANA, personification of via Traiana reclining left on rocks with wheel and branch; VIA TRAIANA in exergue.
RIC 266.

 

@Ancient Aussie , nice writeup.
Here is my example of the OP coin:


27 mm. RIC 639. BMC 1012.
Sear II 3226.
Foss 54 [109 AD]

 

Great coin @Ancient Aussie - a nice road commemorative. In contrast to the Roman roads, our roads here in the states are filled with pot holes from decades of neglect in some cases. Just driving up my street one has to swerve and slow down to avoid them. A long-term approach to maintaining infrastructure is lacking.

 

Denarius of Trajan RIC 266 3.09 grms Rv. VIA TRAIANA

 

Beutiful coin, rich in detail great buy.