Emperor Trajan, Silver Denarius, 108AD

Description

Denomination: Silver denarius

Period: Roman imperial

Date: 108AD

Origin: Rome mint

Condition: Very fine. some slight encrustations

Obverse: Laureate head. right. drapery on far shoulder. legend IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P

Reverse: Aequitas standing left. holding scales and cornucopia. COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC

Size and Weight: 3.19G. 18mm

References: Sear 3122

Features and Provenance: Trajan is considered to be the most successful emperor the Roman Empire ever had. despite reigning for only 19 years. He was born in 53 AD and adopted by Nerva in 97 AD whose weak leadership needed a popular military figure to improve his standing. However. in a few months Nerva died and Trajan ascended to the throne.  

Aequitas is the deity of fairness. conformity and equality; the origins of the word ‘equity.’ As the goddess of fair and honest trade. her image was was used by merchants. often holding scales.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades in between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible