Trajan Danube Bridge Æ Sestertius Roman Empire 104-107 AD Copper Coin with Stunning Green Patina Museum Reproduction CBRS0048

The bridge on the reverse of this coin has been generally thought to be that constructed across the Danube by Trajan’s architect, Apollodorus of Damascus, in AD 104. There is good circumstantial evidence for this. The date range for this coin’s issue is closely contemporary with the date of the bridge’s construction, and would fit in well programmatically with those war-related issues of the same time frame. The statuary displayed along the roof line of the attic of the arches situated at either end of the structure – one of which is clearly a trophy – suggests that these arches are triumphal in nature and that the bridge should be associated with some war-related construction. There is no literary or epigraphic evidence describing the construction or restoration of another bridge during Trajan’s reign. The only plausible structure is the bridge across the Danube.

DESIGN:
Obverse side
Laureate bust right, slight drapery
Legend:
IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P

Reverse side
Arched, single-span bridge with seven posts across Danube River; single-bay arches at either end, surmounted by statues; boat sailing left in river below
Legend:
S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI

A perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors.