Trajan - Sestertius Victory over Dacia (S2456)

Trajan. 98-117. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 24.27 g 33 mm), Rome, 107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Laureate bust of Trajan to right, with aegis on shoulder Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI / S C Victory standing right, inscribing VIC DAC on shield supported by palm tree. BMC 813. Cohen 454. Hill 335. RIC 528. 

The reverse of this coin refers to Trajan’s conquest of Dacia and its resettlement by colonists brought from all over the empire. The triumph celebrated in Rome lasted 123 days and included gladiatorial exhibitions that seemingly took the lives of over 11,000 people, primarily slaves and criminals (many probably Dacian prisoners).