Trajan aureus with image of Augustus

In 2016 an Israeli woman hiking in the Galilee discovered an impossibly rare gold coin - only the second such coin known. The coin, dating to the year 107 CE, bears the image of Augustus on the obverse – 'Augustus Deified'. Trajan was Roman emperor from 98 AD until his death in 117 AD.

On the reverse are symbols of the Roman legions next to the name of Trajan. The aureus is part of a series of coins minted by Trajan in tribute to the emperors that preceded him. The only other example known is in the British Museum.

Trajan's Column in Rome.

Roman soldiers were paid a high salary of three gold coins, equivalent to 75 silver coins, each month. Due to their high value, soldiers were unable to buy goods in the market as merchants couldn't provide change.

Trajan lead the empire to attain its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death.

Bronze and silver coins of Trajan are common, but his gold coins are extremely rare.  Declared by the Senate optimus princeps (the best ruler), Trajan was a successful soldier-emperor who presided over the greatest military expansion in Roman history.

Trajan's uniformed army, frieze on Trajan's Column.