Authentic Roman Emperor Trajan Copper Sesterce // Roman Empire Ca. 113 CE

Trajan was Roman emperor from 98 to 117. Officially declared by the Senate optimus princeps (“the best ruler”), Trajan is remembered as a successful soldier-emperor who presided over the greatest military expansion in Roman history, leading the empire to attain its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death. He is also known for his philanthropic rule, overseeing extensive public building programs and implementing social welfare policies, which earned him his enduring reputation as the second of the Five Good Emperors who presided over an era of peace and prosperity in the Mediterranean world.

The sestertius (plural sestertii), or sesterce (plural sesterces), was an ancient Roman coin. During the Roman Republic it was a small, silver coin issued only on rare occasions. During the Roman Empire it was a large brass coin. SC stands for Senatus Consultum, a text emanating from the senate in Ancient Rome.

Obverse: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS VI P P, laureate draped bust right

Reverse: SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS S C FORT RED: Fortuna, draped, seated left on low chair, feet on stool, holding rudder set on ground in right hand and cornucopia in left.