RIC II Trajan 243
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC II Trajan 243. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Trajan. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Trajan, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right, with the legend IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P.
The reverse shows abundantia, draped, standing front, head left, holding corn-ears over child standing at left side in right hand and cornucopiae in left; child standing front, head right and holds roll in left hand, with the legend S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI ALIM ITAL.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 23
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Trajan served as Roman emperor from 98 to 117, remembered as the second ruler of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty's Five Good Emperors. Adopted as heir by the emperor Nerva, Trajan became a philanthropic ruler and successful soldier-emperor who presided over vast military expansion and extensive public building projects. During his reign, the Roman Senate bestowed upon him the formal title of optimus princeps, meaning 'the best ruler'.
Struck at the Rome mint, this silver denarius formed part of the standard Roman silver coinage. The coin's iconography and reverse legend, "S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI ALIM ITAL", relate directly to Trajan's expansion of state social welfare policies, specifically the alimenta. This programme is symbolised by the figure of Abundantia holding corn-ears above a child, who stands opposite holding a roll.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Trajan
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Trajan, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right
- Reverse
- Abundantia, draped, standing front, head left, holding corn-ears over child standing at left side in right hand and cornucopiae in left; child standing front, head right and holds roll in left hand
- Obverse legend
- IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P
- Reverse legend
- S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI ALIM ITAL
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC II Trajan 243
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P
- Reverse legend to match
- S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI ALIM ITAL
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.2.tr.243
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.