Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

RIC II Trajan 49 (denarius)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC II Trajan 49 (denarius). Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Trajan. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Trajan, laureate, right, with the legend IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM.

The reverse shows hercules, naked, standing front on low base, holding club downwards in right hand and lion-skin over left arm, with the legend P M TR P COS IIII P P.

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, succeeding Nerva after being adopted as his heir. A successful soldier-emperor of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty who had campaigned against Germanic tribes, he presided over one of the greatest military expansions in Roman history. Trajan was awarded the title of optimus princeps by the Roman Senate and ruled until his death in 117.

Produced at the mint of Rome, this silver denarius formed part of the standard Roman silver coinage originally introduced during the Second Punic War. The coin carries the obverse legend "IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM" alongside the laureate head of Trajan. The reverse depicts Hercules standing naked on a low base, holding a club downwards in his right hand with a lion-skin draped over his left arm, accompanied by the inscription "P M TR P COS IIII P P".

Physical characteristics

Material
Silver
Denomination
Denarius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Trajan

Design

Obverse
Head of Trajan, laureate, right
Reverse
Hercules, naked, standing front on low base, holding club downwards in right hand and lion-skin over left arm
Obverse legend
IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM
Reverse legend
P M TR P COS IIII P P

Identification

Type reference
RIC II Trajan 49 (denarius)
Denomination and metal
Denarius, Silver
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM
Reverse legend to match
P M TR P COS IIII P P
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.
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference