Gold Fourree Aureus - Ancient Rome, c. 98-117 AD. Ruler: Trajan.
Obv: Laureate head of Trajan, right.
Rev: PMTRPCOSIIIIPP, Victory advancing, left.
Sear 3096var, 18mm, 4.54gm, (Diameter: 18mm)
This coin is a fine example of an uncommon ancient counterfeit known as a ''fourree''. It is gold clad over a base metal core. They can be very deceptive, but are usually somewhat light in weight, and are also subject to pitting. Fourrees are collected as a more affordable adjunct to the authorized mint issue.
Trajan is remembered as a successful soldier-emperor who presided over the greatest military expansion in Roman history, leading the empire to attain its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death.
He is also known for his philanthropic rule, overseeing extensive public building programs and implementing social welfare policies, which earned him his enduring reputation as the second of the Five Good Emperors who presided over an era of peace and prosperity in the Mediterranean world.
