Trajan, 98-117, Denarius

Trajan, Denarius, AR, emperor AD 98–117; Rome, struck c. AD 103–111; 2.68 g; 19 mm. Laureate head right with legend IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P. Reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory and spear. Struck at Rome as part of the SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI series. RIC II Trajan 129.

The obverse titles record Trajan’s victories in Germania and Dacia and his tribunician power, while the reverse names his fifth consulship (AD 103) and pater patriae and presents the Senate and People’s acclamation of him as “Optimo Principi.” Issued at Rome between AD 103 and 111, this series framed Trajan’s rule in the wake of the Dacian wars and provides firmly datable silver issues tied to his early second-century governance.