Emperor Trajan, Reign 98-117 AD

This coin shows Emperor Trajan on the obverse. He was responsible for a series of Roman invasions of Dacia, Nabatea, and finally Parthia. He had dreams of expanding Roman domination to India and China. The reverse of the coin is likely representative of the solar eclipse of 113 AD when Trajan began his conquest of Parthia and Mesopotamia. The solar eclipse of 113 AD may have influenced the Roman military decision to begin these invasions. This coin was minted in Byzantium, later to become Constantinople. Photo CNG coins