Coin — Aureus of Trajan, Rome, 112-114 AD
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
112-114 AD
Coin in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number A.680-1910), made in Rome, dated 112-114 AD. The museum's brief description reads: Coin, aureus of Trajan, gold, head of Trajan, Roman, ca.
112-114 AD. Museum description: Gold coin. On the obverse is a head of Trajan with an inscription around the border. On the reverse is shown three standards, surmounted by (l-r) a vexillum (a banner carried by Roman troops), an eagle, and a hand. The museum records it as Gold, measuring Diameter 2.0 cm; Weight 7.18 g. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The aureus was the standard gold coin of the Roman empire from the 1st century BC until the 4th century AD, and was issued throughout that period.The use of the portrait is the most persistent and usually the most striking feature of coins of the Roman Empire.The tradition is still commonly seen today. Particularly during the first three centuries of the Empire's existence (27 BC-AD 284) images were made of historically recorded (and some unrecorded) people. Trajan was one the greatest of the Roman emperors. He waged successful wars against the Germans and the Parthians, and was rewarded with the title Optimus, 'the Best'. His memory was greatly honoured, and he was given the unusual right of burial within the city limits of Rome. His ashes were placed in the base of his great column, held in an urn made of gold. Theologians, such as Thomas Aquinas, discussed Trajan as an example of a virtuous pagan. In the Divine Comedy, Dante, following this legend, sees the spirit of Trajan in the Heaven of Jupiter with other historical and mythological persons noted for their justice. Dio Cassius reported that "he was devoted to boys and to wine".
Physical characteristics
- Material
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter 2.0 cm; Weight 7.18 g
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Gold
- Place recorded
- Rome
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- 'IMP. TRAIANO. AVG. DAC. P. M. TR. P. COS. VI. P. P.' (IMP[ERATORI] TRAIANO AUG[USTO] DAC[ICO] P[ONTIFICI] M[AXIMO] TR[IBUNICIAE] P[OTESTATIS] CO[NSULO] VI [SEXTO] P[ATER] P[ATRIAE]); Reverse: S. P. Q. R. OPTIMO PRINCIPI (S[ENATUS] P[OPULUS] Q[UE] R[OMANUS] OPTIMO PRINCIPI)
Identification
- Museum object name
- Coin
- Museum object number
- A.680-1910
- Museum system number
- O122479
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- 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
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.