Trajan, Bronze Dupondius
Dublin Core
Title
Subject
OBVERSE: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP (Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunician Power, Consul for the 5th time, Pater Patria), radiated bust faces right.
REVERSE: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI S-C (Senatus Populusque Romanus “the senate and people of Rome,” to the best of princes, Senatus Consulto “by decree of the senate”), Pax standing left, cornucopia in left, with right setting on fire pile of Dacian arms.
Description
Trajan is and was one of the most celebrated Roman emperors. He was an excellent warrior and his execution of stately affairs was fair, efficient, and sensitive to the republican roots of the city. In court ceremonies of the late empire, emperors were greeted with the cry of “felicior Augusto, melior Traiano” (be happier than Augustus, better than Trajan).
One of Trajan’s most famous military victories was conquering the land of Dacia (modern day Romania). That victory was celebrated with many building projects around Rome, most famously the column of Trajan and The Forum of Trajan. There were several coins issued that featured the column or other aspects of his victory; here we see Pax, the goddess of peace, setting fire to a pile of Dacian arms. With the fire in one hand and a cornucopia in the other, Pax represents both the military victory and rich spoils that came from the war. Trajan is said to have brought back at least 5 million pounds of gold and 10 millions pounds of silver.
SC is common on many coins. The term senatus consulto means “by decree of the senate.” This stamp meant the value of the coin was verified by the Roman senate.
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Date
Rights
Format
0.535 oz