Trajan Sestertius, Trajan reverse
RIC II Trajan 554 · 103 AD-111 AD · Rome
Obverse
Reverse
Philipps-Universität Marburg
Obverse
IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P
Bust of Trajan, laureate, right with aegis
Reverse
S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C
Trajan, bare-headed, togate, standing left on platform on right, in gesture of adlocutio; behind him, praefect; below, four men with extended hands; in front, a woman reclining right; on left, three obelisks
About This Type
This RIC II Trajan 554 is a sestertius of Trajan (103 AD-111 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Trajan, bare-headed, togate, standing left on platform on right, in gesture of adlocutio; behind him, praefect; below, four men with extended hands; in front, a woman reclining right; on left, three obelisks.
About the Sestertius
The sestertius was the large brass prestige coin of the Roman imperial series, typically 25–28 grams and 30–35mm in diameter. Its size gave engravers room for the finest portrait art and most detailed reverse compositions in Roman coinage. Sestertii bear the SC mark indicating senatorial authority over base metal coinage.
About the Rome Mint
The Rome mint was the principal mint of the Roman state from the Republic through the fall of the Western Empire. It produced the vast majority of gold and silver coinage and was the only mint for much of the first and second centuries AD.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RIC II Trajan 554?
- RIC II Trajan 554 is a Bronze Sestertius of Trajan (103 AD-111 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. II no. II Trajan 554.
- How do you identify RIC II Trajan 554?
- The obverse depicts Bust of Trajan, laureate, right with aegis with the inscription IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P. The reverse depicts Trajan, bare-headed, togate, standing left on platform on right, in gesture of adlocutio; behind him, praefect; below, four men with extended hands; in front, a woman reclining right; on left, three obelisks with the inscription S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C. Portrait type: laureate.
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