Here is a Trajan Didrachm I picked up a long while ago, I even had it in a group shot that was posted in a thread. As usual with most of my purchases, this coin was going cheap & after quick looking around, I noticed the reverse type is scarcer than his usual Didrachms. What attracted me to it in the first place was I didn't own this particular reverse of Mount Argaios. I have several that feature Mount Argaios with atop Helios. So this was a pleasant addition. Trajan (98 - 117 A.D.) AR Didrachm CAPPADOCIA, Caesarea-Eusebia O: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙС ΝЄΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝω ΑΡΙСΤω СЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚ Laureate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. R:ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ ΥΠΑΤΟ Ϛ Mount Argaios with grotto containing cult stone, flanked by two pyramidal objects; at top, second grotto with flames. 6.98g 21mm RPC III 3046. Sydenham 208-209.
A grotto! That is interesting and it's a very attractive coin. Do we know the nature of that cult statue within? It looks like it could be a baetyl. Perhaps another meteorite??
Very interesting reverse type and a nice "Imperial style" portrait as well. Kinda makes me wonder if it was minted in Rome?
Checking in RPC online, it was minted in Caesarea Cappadocia. Many specimen shown there are from the hoard found in 1983 in Caesarea.
I seem to recall there were some theories that some of these eastern silver coins for Trajan were struck in Rome for his military campaigns? Then there is confusion over whether some of these drachms were from Cappadocia or Bostra. I don't have this information at hand - just half-remembered stuff I was reading when researching a drachm. I do remember being confused!
Very nice and interesting coin. I haven't seen one like it till now. Congratulations! My natural state.
Very nice pickup @Mat. I’ve not seen the type before either. The reverse condition is especially nice.