{"title":"Trajan Silver Denarii, Authenticated Roman Coinage AD 98 to 117","description":"\u003cp\u003eTrajan ruled from AD 98 to 117 and his reign is conventionally taken as the high-water mark of the Roman Empire. The frontier reached its greatest extent: Dacia annexed, the Tigris briefly Roman, the Parthian capital Ctesiphon sacked. The treasury was full enough to finance the Forum of Trajan, the Markets, the column commemorating the Dacian campaigns, and a public-works programme that included roads, bridges, and aqueducts across the western provinces. Trajan was the first Roman emperor born outside Italy. Pliny the Younger's panegyric, addressed to him in AD 100, is the surviving high-water mark of imperial Roman rhetoric.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection is the surviving silver denarii of Trajan's reign in Aurora's current stock. Three pieces, all silver, all struck at the Rome mint, all catalogued against \u003cem\u003eRoman Imperial Coinage\u003c\/em\u003e, all reviewed by an independent numismatist, all backed by Aurora's written lifetime authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Trajan denarii matter to a Roman coin collector\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTrajanic denarii sit at one of the most stable moments in the history of Roman silver. The denarius is still struck on a high-silver flan — fineness around 85 to 90 percent — at a target weight of about 3.3 to 3.4 grams. The portraiture is confidently late-classical, with deeply cut hair and full facial modelling. The mint at Rome is producing in volume; the consulship and tribunician dates on the reverse legends allow most issues to be placed within a single year. For a collector who wants to build a representative chronology of imperial portraiture, the Trajanic denarius is almost a prerequisite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverses on Trajan's silver document the central themes of his reign: \u003cem\u003eDacicus\u003c\/em\u003e after the Dacian wars, \u003cem\u003eParthicus\u003c\/em\u003e after the Parthian campaign, \u003cem\u003eS P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI\u003c\/em\u003e (\"the senate and people of Rome to the best of leaders\") — the dedication that gave Trajan the byname \u003cem\u003eOptimus\u003c\/em\u003e. Felicitas, Aequitas, Pax, Victoria, and the standards of conquered provinces all appear. The Trajanic mint is unusually rich in reverse types.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to check on a Trajan denarius\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThree markers separate a collectible Trajan denarius from a worn or problematic one. The portrait should show the characteristic Trajanic profile: the strong jaw, the close-cropped hair combed forward, the slightly hooked nose — recognisable across the issue. The obverse legend typically runs IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, with the consulship number (COS V, VI) and TR P number letting numismatists date an issue tightly. The reverse should match a published RIC type; spacing and letterform errors are common in modern forgeries copied from auction photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWeight should fall in the 3.2 to 3.5 gram range. The flan should show the slight irregularity of hand-struck coinage on a rolled silver flan; cast forgeries show smooth seamed edges. Patina, where present, follows relief in three dimensions and is adherent under loupe examination. The full check is in our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/questions-and-answers\/how-to-authenticate-an-ancient-roman-coin\"\u003ehow to authenticate an ancient Roman coin\u003c\/a\u003e, and the abbreviated titulature is decoded in our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/questions-and-answers\/what-do-the-letters-on-roman-coins-mean\"\u003eguide to the letters on Roman coins\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy a Trajan denarius from Aurora\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo reasons. First, the work done before the coin reaches the listing page: seven antiquarian markers, RIC reference confirmed, OCRE cross-reference, independent numismatist sign-off. Second, the written lifetime authenticity guarantee: if a Trajan denarius from Aurora is ever shown to be inauthentic, we refund it without time limit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll three Trajan coins in this collection are catalogued, photographed obverse and reverse at 2048 px, and ship insured worldwide from Belgium. Provenance documentation accompanies every order. For the wider Roman silver range, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coins\"\u003ethe Roman coin catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-003-s","title":"Roman Silver Denarius 'Trajan' (114-117 AD, RIC II-332)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Silver Denarius 'Trajan' (114-117 AD, RIC II-332)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA very fine (vf) denarius struck under Trajan at Rome in 114-117 AD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e IMPERATOR CAESAR NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS DACICVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Emperor, Caesar, Augustus, Conqueror of the Germans, Conqueror of the Dacians\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e PARTHICO PIVS MARCVS TRIBVNICIA PIVS CONSVL VI PIVS PIVS S PIVS Q R\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Parthian-Conqueror, Dutiful, Marcus, of the Tribunate, Consul\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Felicitas standing facing, head to left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrajan (98-117 CE) presided over the Empire at its greatest territorial extent, his Dacian and Parthian campaigns funding a vast coinage. His denarii are typed by tribunician year (TR P) and consulship (COS), giving collectors precise dating windows. The reverse legend SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI honors him as the Senate's 'best emperor', a title that became proverbial in later antiquity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Denarius\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Rome\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 114-117 AD\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC II-332\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 2.81 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 17 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Very Fine (VF)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a long-standing private European collection, acquired prior to current trade regulations. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808107880778,"sku":"C-003-S","price":160.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-003-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1778504208"},{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-004-s","title":"Roman Silver Denarius 'Trajan' (103-107 AD, RIC II-222)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Silver Denarius 'Trajan' (103-107 AD, RIC II-222)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA very fine (vf) denarius struck under Trajan at Rome in 103-107 AD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e IMPERATOR TRAIANO AVGVSTVS GER DACICVS PIVS MARCVS TRIBVNICIA PIVS CONSVL V PIVS PIVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Emperor, Augustus, Conqueror of the Dacians, Dutiful, Marcus, of the Tribunate, Consul\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e S PIVS Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Dutiful, to the Best, of the Princeps (First Citizen \/ Emperor)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Dacian seated right at base of trophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrajan (98-117 CE) presided over the Empire at its greatest territorial extent, his Dacian and Parthian campaigns funding a vast coinage. His denarii are typed by tribunician year (TR P) and consulship (COS), giving collectors precise dating windows. The reverse legend SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI honors him as the Senate's 'best emperor', a title that became proverbial in later antiquity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Denarius\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Rome\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 103-107 AD\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC II-222\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 3.2 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 18 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Very Fine (VF)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a long-standing private European collection, acquired prior to current trade regulations. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808108306762,"sku":"C-004-S","price":190.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-004-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1778504222"},{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-021-s","title":"Roman Silver Denarius 'Trajan' (103 CE-111 CE, RIC II Trajan 202)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Silver Denarius 'Trajan' (103 CE-111 CE, RIC II Trajan 202)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA fine (f) denarius struck under Trajan at Rome in 103 CE-111 CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e MP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e MP TRAIANO AVGVSTVS GER DACICVS PIVS MARCVS TRIBVNICIA PIVS CONSVL V PIVS PIVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Augustus, Conqueror of the Dacians, Dutiful, Marcus, of the Tribunate, Consul\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e S PIVS Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Dutiful, to the Best, of the Princeps (First Citizen \/ Emperor)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Virtus, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, left foot set on helmet, holding straight spear, inverted, in right hand and parazonium upwards in left\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrajan (98-117 CE) presided over the Empire at its greatest territorial extent, his Dacian and Parthian campaigns funding a vast coinage. His denarii are typed by tribunician year (TR P) and consulship (COS), giving collectors precise dating windows. The reverse legend SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI honors him as the Senate's 'best emperor', a title that became proverbial in later antiquity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Denarius\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Rome\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 103 CE-111 CE\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC II Trajan 202\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 2.9 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 18 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Fine (F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a long-standing private European collection, acquired prior to current trade regulations. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808125772106,"sku":"C-021-S","price":210.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-021-S-01-obverse.jpg?v=1778504470"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/collections\/C-003-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1779044766","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.store\/collections\/trajan-coins.oembed","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}