Trajan AR Denarius AD 98-117 Ch XF

The denarius (plural denarii) was the Roman Empire’s benchmark silver coin for over 400 years (c. 211 BC - c. 244 AD).  This specific denarius was minted under Trajan.

Marcus Ulpius Traianus, commonly called Trajan, is known as one of the Five Good Emperors (the others are Nerva, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius).  He was born in present-day Seville, Spain in 53 AD.  He distinguished himself both in the military and as a governor during Domitian’s rule, and then was chosen by Nerva to be heir to the throne.  Upon his accession in 98, Trajan gave money to plebian Romans.  He also formalized alimenta, a welfare program that helped disadvantaged children in Italy, and organized the construction of buildings, bridges, roads, and more.  He incorporated many new territories into the empire, so much so that by his death by sickness in 117, the empire was at its maximum territorial extent.  One of these new territories was Roman Dacia, which Romanians view as the beginnings of present-day Romania.  Trajan, by extension, is seen as one of the founders of Romania and is a key figure in Romanian culture.

This coin was graded XF (extremely fine) by the Numismatic Grading Company, the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild.  Here is a list of grades used by the NGC, as well as information about Strike, Surface, and Style ratings.

Obverse: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust right with light drapery on far shoulder

Reverse: S.P.Q.R. OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Spes advancing left holding flower and lifting skirt

Reference: RCV 3164, RIC 191