Code: 12468
This is an ancient Roman silver denarius, of Emperor Trajan, minted at Rome in 110 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." Dacia personified, captive, seated left in dejected pose, on pile of arms including shields, spears, and curved Dacian weapons.
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: 19.9mm dia
WEIGHT: 3.12 grams
ATTRIBUTION: RIC 98. Sear II 3136. Hill 496
PROVENANCE: Private collection. Reims, France
