Ancient Roman gold aureus of emperor Trajan / Hercules

Code: 12120

This is an ancient Roman gold Aureus, of Emperor Trajan, minted at Rome in 100 AD 

Obverse: IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM  "Supreme commander (Imperator), Caesar, Nerva Trajan, emperor (Augustus), conqueror of the Germans." Bust of Trajan, laureate right.

Reverse: PM TRP COS III P P, "High priest, holder of tribunician power, consul for the third time, father of the nation"  Hercules, naked, standing front on low base, holding club downwards in right hand and lion-skin over left arm.

A wonderful coin with a good portrait and original mint lustre, A similar example in the British Museum collection R.6675

CULTURE: ROMAN

DENOMINATION: Aureus (of 25 denarius)

MATERIAL: Gold

DATE: 98 - 117 AD (this coin was minted at Rome in 100 AD)

SIZE: 18.4mm dia

WEIGHT: 7.17grams

ATTRIBUTION: RIC II# 37 (aureus), OCRE# ric.2.tr.37_aureus

PROVENANCE: Private collection. Reims, France.