Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Trajan

Add to album

This silver coin was minted in Rome by the emperor Trajan sometime between 103 and 111 AD. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

The obverse has the head of Trajan wearing a laurel wreath and facing to the right. The legend 'IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P' identifies the emperor and abbreviates a number of his titles.

The Romans needed coins for one main purpose - to pay the salaries of her huge military force. The Dacian campaigns, commemorated on the reverse of this coin, would have required vast expense. They were recouped to some degree by the capture of the treasures of the Dacian royal house.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-180-001-662-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C10507
• Date: 103 - 111
  Minted between 103 and 111 AD
  
• Material: Silver; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P; laureate head right / Rev. COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC; DAC CAP in exergue; Dacian seated right on pile of arms, his hands bound behind him
  Coin Type: RIC 96
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 18.50 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin Type: RIC 96
  Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Trajan
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  Roman Empire
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of Trajan, Rome, AD 103 - 111
  
• References:
  • Mattingly, Harold and Sydenham, Edward A. The Roman Imperial Coinage. Vol. II. Vespasian to Hadrian. London: Spink & Son, Ltd, 1926. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: