Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

RIC II Trajan 500 (sestertius)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC II Trajan 500 (sestertius). Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Trajan. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Trajan, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right, with the legend IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P.

The reverse shows fortuna, draped, standing left, holding rudder in front of prow in right hand and cornucopiae in left (sometimes there is no prow), with the legend S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C.

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 successful soldier-emperor who had distinguished himself in military campaigns and served as governor of Germania and Pannonia, Trajan annexed Nabataea and Dacia during his reign.

Struck at the Rome mint, this bronze sestertius features an obverse legend naming the emperor as "IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P". The reverse legend records "S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C", invoking the title granted by the senate. The reverse depiction displays the draped figure of Fortuna holding a rudder and a cornucopiae, occasionally accompanied by a prow, reflecting attributes associated with the goddess.

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Trajan

Design

Obverse
Bust of Trajan, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right
Reverse
Fortuna, draped, standing left, holding rudder in front of prow in right hand and cornucopiae in left (sometimes there is no prow)
Obverse legend
IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P
Reverse legend
S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC II Trajan 500 (sestertius)
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P
Reverse legend to match
S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C
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