Roman Silver Denarius - Rome 102 AD - Trajan - Victory

  • Obverse: Laureate head right
  • Reverse: Victory standing right on prow terminating in serpent, holding palm frond and wreath.
  • Date: 102 AD
  • Size: 18 mm, 2.84 g
  • Composition: Silver
  • Internal SKU: 107X902

HISTORICAL NOTE: Trajan (AD 98 - 117): Trajan, also known as Marcus Ulpius Traianus, was the thirteenth Roman Emperor. He is remembered as a successful soldier-emperor who presided over the greatest military expansion in Roman history, leading the empire to attain its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death. Trajan also implemented extensive public building programs and social welfare policies, which earned him a reputation as the second of the Five Good Emperors. In terms of coinage, Trajan issued a variety of denominations, including the gold Aureus, the silver Denarius, and various bronze coins. His coins often featured his portrait on the obverse, with various designs on the reverse that commemorated his military victories and public works. Trajan’s monetary policy was characterized by stability, with no significant debasement of the coinage occurring during his reign. Denarius: The Denarius was introduced by the Roman Republic in the 3rd century BCE and quickly became the principal silver coin of Rome. It was initially worth 10 Ases, but this value changed over time due to inflation and changes in the As’s weight. The Denarius was widely used throughout the Roman Empire and persisted until the 3rd century AD, making it one of the most famous coins in history.