Trajan Dupondius RIC II Trajan 613

Monetary Context and Denominational Function

Within the reformed monetary system established under Augustus and maintained through the Antonine era, the dupondius served as a crucial intermediate denomination in daily cash transactions. Valued at two copper asses, four quadrantes, or one-half of a brass sestertius, eight dupondii constituted a single silver denarius. The dupondius was traditionally struck in orichalcum, a golden-toned copper-zinc alloy that distinguished it in appearance and intrinsic value from the pure red-copper as. By the reign of Trajan (AD 98 to 117), the physical dimensions and metallurgical composition of base-metal coinages had experienced minor adjustments, yet base-metal denominations remained vital for domestic commerce, urban trade, and regional markets across the western provinces and the Italian peninsula. The issuance of RIC II Trajan 613 formed part of a coordinated programmatic release that synchronized silver and bronze denominations around shared thematic representations of state security, imperial benevolence, and territorial acquisition.

Production Standards and Mint Attribution

RIC II Trajan 613 was manufactured exclusively at the principal imperial mint in Rome. Production of base-metal coinage at Rome involved casting spherical or lens-shaped flans of orichalcum, followed by hot striking between hand-carved steel dies. Trajanic dupondii generally operated on an empirical target weight ranging between 11.5 and 14.5 grams, with typical diameters spanning 26 to 28 millimeters, although ancient minting practices tolerated individual weight variations around the theoretical norm. Dies were typically oriented in either an upright or inverted axial position (6 or 12 o'clock). While the annexation of Arabia was commemorated across multiple denominations, production of this specific bronze issue remained centralized at Rome, intended for metropolitan circulation and broader provincial distribution through state expenditures and regional banking networks.

Obverse Iconography and Imperial Representation

The obverse of RIC II Trajan 613 features a mature, right-facing portrait bust of Trajan wearing a radiate crown. In imperial Roman numismatics from the early principate onward, the radiate crown functioned as a clear visual signifier identifying the coin as a dupondius, preventing confusion with the laureate as of similar diameter. The portrait exhibits the classicizing artistic style typical of Trajan's later issues, marked by a broad forehead, straight combed hair, a firm jawline, and realistic facial modeling that conveys imperial gravitas and military authority. Surrounding the portrait is an extensive Latin legend delineating the emperor's official titles, honors, and magistracies as conferred by the Roman Senate and military assemblies.

Reverse Iconography and the Personification of Arabia

The reverse iconography depicts the personification of the newly acquired province of Arabia. Arabia stands facing front with her head turned to the left, wearing a long draped stola. In her right hand she extends a branch over a small dromedary camel standing to the left, which is partially obscured behind her drapery. In the crook of her left arm she cradles a bundle of canes or reeds, widely interpreted by numismatists as frankincense canes, aromatic plants, or reeds native to the Nabataean trade networks. The presence of the camel serves as a distinctive geographical attribute linking the personification directly to the desert frontier. Flanking the lower fields is the formal senatorial authorization mark S C (Senatus Consulto), while the exergue carries the abbreviation ARAB ADQ, reinforcing the acquisition rather than violent subjugation of the territory.

Inscriptions and Epigraphic Analysis

The obverse inscription reads IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, representing the expanded formula: Imperatori Caesari Nervae Traiano Augusto Germanico Dacico, Pontifici Maximo, Tribunicia Potestate, Consuli Sextum, Patri Patriae. This epigraphic sequence documents Trajan's lineage through adoption by Nerva, his triumphator titles in Germania and Dacia, his position as chief priest, his civil tribunician power, his sixth consulship, and his title as Father of the Country. The reverse bears the peripheral legend S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, expanding to Senatus Populusque Romanus Optimo Principi (The Senate and the Roman People to the Best Prince), accompanied by S C in the fields and ARAB ADQ in the exergue for Arabia Adquisita (Arabia Acquired). The linguistic choice of adquisita emphasizes incorporation into the empire rather than the harshness implied by terms such as capta.

Typology and Chronological Placement

Trajan's annexation of the Nabataean kingdom took place under the command of Aulus Cornelius Palma in AD 106, forming the province of Arabia Petraea. Although early commemorative issues celebrating this achievement appeared shortly after the annexation, the specific type classified as RIC II Trajan 613 belongs to a consolidated administrative issue struck between AD 112 and 114. The terminus post quem is established by the title COS VI, commemorating Trajan's assumption of his sixth and final consulship on January 1, AD 112. The issue ceased before late AD 114, when the Senate granted Trajan the title Optimus as a formal cognomen, which subsequently modified obverse titulature on later series. Bernhard Woytek's detailed die studies and relative sequence analysis assign these issues to this precise late-consular period preceding Trajan's departure for the East.

Circulation, Hoard Evidence, and Distribution

Base-metal dupondii minted at Rome circulated broadly throughout Italy and the western provinces, including Hispania, Gaul, and the Rhine-Danube frontier garrisons. While imperial aes coinage did find its way to the eastern Mediterranean and the newly formed Arabian province alongside local civic bronzes, its principal circulation sphere remained centralized in Latin-speaking territories. Hoard evidence and archaeological site finds demonstrate that Trajanic dupondii remained active in circulation for several decades, often continuing in commercial use through the reigns of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. Heavy wear patterns observed on surviving specimens reflect their sustained role as everyday base-metal currency before withdrawal or replacement during third-century debasements.

References

1. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Volume III: Nerva to Hadrian. pp. 211-213
2. The Roman Imperial Coinage and the Annexation of Arabia. Numismatic Chronicle, Series 5, Vol. 12
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC II Trajan 613. ric.2.tr.613
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume II: Vespasian to Hadrian. p. 287, no. 613
5. Die Reichsprägung des Kaisers Traianus (98-117). MIR 14, no. 488