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Orbis Collectibles

RIC II Trajan 303 (denarius)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC II Trajan 303 (denarius). Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Trajan. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Trajan, laureate, draped, right, with the legend IMP TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P.

The reverse shows genius, naked, standing left, holding patera in extended right hand and corn-ears downwards by left side in left, with the legend COS VI P P S P Q R.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
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 ruled the Roman Empire from 98 to 117 as the second of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty's Five Good Emperors. Adopted by Nerva following military service against Germanic tribes, he became a soldier-emperor who annexed Dacia and expanded the empire to its maximum territorial extent. The Roman Senate bestowed upon him the title optimus princeps, reflected on coinage as part of his imperial nomenclature.

Struck at Rome, this silver denarius formed part of the standard Roman silver currency that served the empire from around 211 BC into the third century. The reverse bears the inscription "COS VI P P S P Q R" alongside a standing Genius holding a patera and corn-ears.

Physical characteristics

Material
Silver
Denomination
Denarius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Trajan

Design

Obverse
Bust of Trajan, laureate, draped, right
Reverse
Genius, naked, standing left, holding patera in extended right hand and corn-ears downwards by left side in left
Obverse legend
IMP TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P
Reverse legend
COS VI P P S P Q R

Identification

Type reference
RIC II Trajan 303 (denarius)
Denomination and metal
Denarius, Silver
Obverse legend to match
IMP TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P
Reverse legend to match
COS VI P P S P Q R
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

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.
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