Code: 12467
This is an ancient Roman silver denarius, of Emperor Trajan, minted at Rome in 109 AD
Obverse: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P "Supreme commander (Imperator), of Trajan, emperor (Augustus), conqueror of the Germans, conqueror of the Dacians, high priest, holder of tribunician power." Bust of Trajan, laureate, right
Reverse: COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC DAC CAP "Consul for the fifth time, father of the nation. The senate and the Roman people. The best of princes. Conquest of Dacia." Dacian Warrior, standing left captive, with hands bound in front of him; around him, left and right, various arms on ground.
The reverse of this coin refers to Trajan’s conquest of Dacia and its resettlement by colonists brought from all over the empire. The triumph celebrated in Rome lasted 123 days and included gladiatorial exhibitions that seemingly took the lives of over 11,000 people, primarily slaves and criminals (many probably Dacian prisoners).
CULTURE: ROMAN
DENOMINATION: Denarius
MATERIAL: Silver
DATE: 98 - 117 AD (this coin was minted in Rome around 103 - 111 AD)
SIZE: 18.7mm dia
WEIGHT: 3.16 grams
ATTRIBUTION: RIC 99. Sear II 3137. Hill 493
PROVENANCE: Private collection. Reims, France
