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Orbis Collectibles

RIC II Trajan 324 (aureus)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC II Trajan 324 (aureus). Denomination: Aureus. Authority: Trajan. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Trajan, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right, with the legend IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER DAC PARTHICO.

The reverse shows trophy between two Parthians seated left and right on ground, with the legend P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R PARTHICA CAPTA.

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 was Roman emperor from 98 to 117, remembered as the second of the Five Good Emperors of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. A soldier-emperor, he presided over one of the greatest military expansions in Roman history, leading campaigns that brought the Roman Empire to its maximum territorial extent. His military ventures included successful wars against Dacia and the Parthian Empire, which concluded with the incorporation of Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Assyria.

Struck at the Rome mint, this gold aureus represented the primary gold denomination of the Roman Empire, standardised at a value of 25 silver denarii. The coin explicitly references Trajan's eastern conquests, bearing the obverse legend "IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER DAC PARTHICO". The reverse design depicts a trophy flanked by two Parthians seated on the ground, accompanied by the inscription "P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R PARTHICA CAPTA", celebrating the subjugation of Parthia.

Physical characteristics

Material
Gold
Denomination
Aureus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Trajan

Design

Obverse
Bust of Trajan, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse
Trophy between two Parthians seated left and right on ground
Obverse legend
IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER DAC PARTHICO
Reverse legend
P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R PARTHICA CAPTA

Identification

Type reference
RIC II Trajan 324 (aureus)
Denomination and metal
Aureus, Gold
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GER DAC PARTHICO
Reverse legend to match
P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R PARTHICA CAPTA
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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