Trajan AD 98-117. Rome
Denarius AR

17 mm, 3,35 g

IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder / COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Dacian seated right on pile of one round and three oblong shields, his arms bound behind him; to left, two curved swords; to right, two spears; DAC CAP in exergue.

extremely fine

RIC 96; Woytek 276b.

This coin is a commemorative issue struck by Emperor Trajan to celebrate his victory over Dacia, following his campaigns between AD 101–102 and AD 105–106. The reverse features a Dacian captive seated to the right on a pile of one round and three oblong shields, his arms bound behind him, symbolizing the subjugation of the Dacians. To the left, two curved swords, known as falces—a characteristic Dacian weapon—are depicted, while to the right, two spears complete the scene. The inscription "DAC CAP" in the exergue, meaning "Dacia Captured," emphasizes the triumph of Rome over the Dacian people.