Trajan, 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32 mm, 21.08 g, 6 h), Rome, circa 106-107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate head of Trajan to right, with drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI / S - C Roma standing front, head to left, holding Victory in her right hand and inverted spear in her left; at her feet to left, Dacian kneeling right and raising his arms toward her. BMC 772. Cohen -. J. Lacourt, Sesterces des Antonins (96-192): Vol I, Nerva-Trajan (2022), pl. 7, 1 (this coin). RIC -, cf. 485 (differing bust type). Woytek 250b1. An excellent piece with a bold portrait and a lovely dark green patina. Very minor flatness on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine.



The reverse of this magnificent sestertius alludes to Trajan’s second Dacian War, in which he brought to completion the subjugation of gold-rich Dacia. Roma is shown in triumph, towering above a diminutive Dacian who stretches out his arms in a plea for peace - a powerful visual emblem of the Empire’s victory and, by extension, of the emperor himself.