The figures on this coin represent the Danube (in the form of a river-god), overcoming the province of Dacia (in the form of a supine woman), a land to the north of the Danube in modern Romania. Trajan conquered Dacia in 101-106 CE: his first successful conquest of land beyond the existing borders of the Roman Empire. The coin was made in 105 CE, when he was on the brink of this conquest.
Ancient Roman coins were popular with Renaissance collectors. By owning them and copying aspects of them in their own commissions, patrons could acquire some of the glory of the classical world.
Physical description
Brass coin. On the obverse is a head of Trajan with an inscription around the border. On the reverse is shown a male figure (Danuvius; river Danube), partly naked, with a scarf billowing around his head and holding a reed, rushing upon a female figure (Dacia), half-reclining on the ground. Also with an inscription around the border.
Place of Origin
Roman (made)
Date
105 AD (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Struck brass
Marks and inscriptions
'IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TR P COS V PP'
(IMP[ERATORI] CAES[ARI] NERVAE TRAIANO AUG[USTO] GER[MANICO] DAC[ICO] P[ONTIFICI] M[AXIMO] TR[IBUNICIAE] P[OTESTATIS] CO[NSULO] V [QUINTO] P[ATER] P[ATRIAE]) To the Emperor Caesar Nerva Trajan Augustus Germanicus [Conqueror of the Germans] Dacicus [Conqueror of the Dacians], High Priest, Holder of Tribunician Power, in his fifth year as Consul, Father of the Country.
'S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI [around] S C [in ex.]'
(S[ENATUS] P[OPULUS] Q[UE] R[OMANUS] OPTIMO PRINCIPI (around) S[ENATUS] C[ONSULTO or CENSUIT]) The Roman Senate and people to the best leader. By decree of the Senate.
Dimensions
Diameter: 3.5 cm, Depth: 0.35 cm, Weight: 26.42 cm
Object history note
The figures on this coin represent the Danube (in the form of a river-god), overcoming the province of Dacia (in the form of a supine woman), a land to the north of the Danube in modern Romania. Trajan conquered Dacia in 101-106 CE: his first successful conquest of land beyond the existing borders of the Roman Empire. The coin was made in 105 CE, when he was on the brink of this conquest.
Trajan was the only Roman emperor successfully to cross the Danube and conquer the land to the north. The Danube represented Trajan's expansions and imperial achievements.
Historical context note
This is an example of the kind of Roman coin collected by Renaissance scholars.
Descriptive line
Coin (sestertius), brass, of Trajan, head of Trajan / Tiber overcoming Dacia, Roman, 105 AD
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Cohen, Henry. Description Historique des Monnaies frappées sous l'Empire Romain communément appellées, médailles impériales, par Henry Cohen. Paris, 1859-68. No. 525
Mattingly, Harold. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum. Vol. 3: Nerva to Hadrian. London: British Museum, 1936. No. 793
'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 116
Labels and date
THREE COINS of Trajan
98-117
Ancient Roman coins were very popular with Renaissance collectors. By owning them, and copying aspects of them in their own commissions, patrons could acquire some of the glory of the classical world.
Roman
Gold (left) and brass (centre and right)
Museum nos. A.680, 707, 708-1910 [2008]
Materials
Brass
Techniques
Struck
Subjects depicted
Female figure; Male figure; Trajan; Danube
Categories
Sculpture; Coins & Medals
Collection code
SCP
