MB Trajan - Syria (3)

TRAJAN. Æ Assarion ? Rome, 116 AD Obv. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GERM Radiated and draped bust r., with aegis on l. shoulder. Rev. DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P / SC within wreath. RIC 648 Bronze struck in Rome and shipped to Syria, or locally struck in Syria (probably Antioch) from dies engraved in Rome, for circulation in Syria. These Rome mint style coins don't bear the characteristics of imperial bronze denominations, Dupondius/As/Semis/Quadrans: weight doesn't match, reverses do show the normal senate approval 'SC' but much in the Antioch coins fashion, within a laurel wreath. Rather, these coins have to fit in the Greek coinage system, and would then be Assaria and their fractions. Scarcer bust type with aegis. Natural green patina.