TRAJAN
AD 98-117
AR Denarius. 2.91g, 18.8mm
MINTED: Rome mint, circa mid AD 101-102
REF: RIC II 59
OBVERSE: IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder.
REVERSE: P M TR P COS IIII P P, Victory standing right on prow, holding out wreath in right hand and palm in left.

Notes:
Lightly toned, with slightly textured surfaces and dark areas of horn silver. 
Victory types such as this one typically commemorated successful military campaigns abroad, or the pacification of Rome's enemies.  Trajan won two great wars against the powerful and well-armed Dacian kingdom, the first of which began in AD 101 and ended the  next year - the year this coin was issued - with the Dacian king Decebalus submitting to Trajan.    
 
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.