Trajan AE As
RIC 434, C 640
Obv: IMPCAESNERVATRAIANAVGGERMPM - Laureate head right.
Rev: TRPOTCOSIIIIPP - Victory advancing left, holding palm and shield reading SPQR.
Trajan
98 - 117
Trajan was probably one of the Romans fondest-remembered emperors. During Nerva's reign he was singled out as the heir to the throne. Nerva died soon after and the General wrapped up his battles along the German borders and packed up for Rome. Here he was received as a hero and he reciprocated by walking humbly through the admiring crowds. He put the Senate on notice that they would be allowed to resume their administrative duties without his personal interference. He then set out on large-scale building programs and set up a charity for orphaned children. But the beloved emperor was a military man at heart and could not wait to return to the business of fighting the empire's enemies and expanding its borders. He added Dacia (Romania), Armenia and Mesopotamia to the roster of domains. His military campaigns slowed under several provincial revolts and he suffered a fatal stroke on his return from one of these.
