TRAJAN
AD 98-117
AE Sestertius. 22.46g, 33.4mm
MINTED: Rome mint, AD 103-111
REF: Cf. RIC II 564
OBVERSE: IMP [CAES NERVAE TRAIANO] AVG GER [DAC P M TR P COS V P P], laureate bust right, drapery on left shoulder.
REVERSE: [S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI], Dacia seated left in an attitude of mourning on a pile of arms, trophy before her, S C in exergue.

Notes:
Toned orichalchum surfaces with scattered marks and scuffs.  Budget example of an interesting historical type, with heavy circulation wear typical of these sestertii, which were the main coinage of commerce during this period.  
The mourning Dacian shown on the reverse commemorates Trajan's successful military campaigns against the Dacian kingdom.  In AD 106, his conquest of the kingdom was complete, putting an end to the ambitions of the Dacian king Decebalus.  The victory enlarged Rome's treasury with a vast war booty of 165,500 kg of gold and 331,000 kg of silver.    
 
Historical Notes:
Trajan was the second of the "Five Good Emperors" who ruled the Rome during the 2nd century AD. He was an excellent military commander, expanding the frontiers of the Roman Empire to its greatest extent - annexing the Nabataean kingdom, conquering the Dacians in a great war, and finally, temporarily reducing the Parthian Empire to a client state of Rome by defeating and deposing its ruler, Osroes I. Trajan was also known for his philanthropy and social programs within the empire, and his numerous public buildings and constructions (Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market, the Aqua Traiana). The Roman Senate declared him optimus princeps ("the best of rulers"), a title borne on many of his coins. He died after a reign of 19 years, and was deified by the Senate. Historians regard him as one of Rome's greatest rulers.