Silver denarius of Trajan (AD 98–117), struck at the Rome mint in AD 108–109, belongs to issues from the height of his reign, following the conclusion of the Dacian Wars and during the continued consolidation of his position as one of the most distinguished rulers of the Roman Empire.
The obverse shows a bust of the emperor laureate and draped, facing right, with the legend IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, presenting his official titulature together with the victory titles Germanicus and Dacicus, adopted after his military successes. Such an expanded titulature is characteristic of issues struck after the Dacian campaigns.
The reverse depicts Roma seated left, holding a statuette of Victory and a spear, with the legend COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC. The representation of Roma, the personification of the Roman state, combined with Victory, directly alludes to military success and imperial power. The presence of the extended legend, including the title OPTIMO PRINCIPI, officially granted to Trajan by the Senate, emphasizes his exceptional status as the “best ruler.”
Roman Imperial
Trajan (98-117), Denarius 108-109, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate and draped bust right
IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P
Reverse: Roma seated left, holding Victory and spear
COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC
Diameter 18 mm, weight 3.11 g
