Roman Denarius Coin

Inv. No.: c089
Date: A.D. 103-111.
Weight: 3.25g
 
Obv.: Trajan, laureate.
IMP.TRAIANO AVG.GER.DAC.P.M.TR.P.COS.V P.P.

Rev.: Dacia, seated in attitude of defeat at foot of trophy.
S.P.Q.R. OPTIMO PRINCIPI

The high standard of monetary art under the Flavians declined somewhat under Trajan. His portraits tend to be unimaginative and dull. Obverse legends, as here, suffer from overcrowding. The reverse alludes directly to Trajan most important military achievement, the conquest of Dacia. While the standard of campaigning was undoubtedly high, the wisdom of the enterprise has been seriously questioned through the centuries. Cf. on coin c131.

Comparanda:
RIC, Trajan 221.