Coin (obverse), an orichalcum semis of Trajan

This orichalcum coin was minted in Rome for the Roman emperor Trajan sometime between 114 and 117 AD. It is a type of coin known as a semis, used in Scotland by the Roman army for dealings within the army.

The obverse has the bust of the emperor Trajan. He is surrounded by the inscription reading 'IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIM AVG GER', which is part of a long abbreviated list of the emperor's official titles, continued on the reverse.

The foundation of the Roman imperial coinage system was the silver denarius. Alongside this there was a limited gold series, based on the aureus, and a base metal series based on the sestertius. A semis was worth an eighth of a sestertius.

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Online ID:	000-190-000-352-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.C11491
Date:	114 - 117 Minted between 114 and 117 AD
Material:	Orichalcum; slight wear. Inscription: Obv. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIM AVG GERM; radiate draped bust right / Rev. DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P around; S C within wreath
Dimensions:	19.00 mm D / Die Axis: 7.0
What:	Coin Type: RIC 650 var Coin, semis
Subject:	Queen Street Coin Collection
Who:	Trajan
Where:	Italy, Rome Roman Empire
Event:
Description:	Orichalcum semis of Trajan, Rome, AD 114 - 117
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