Trajan Quinarius “triumphal Victory” — Certificate Of Authenticity

A Trajan silver quinarius, struck at Rome early in the reign, whose type—laureate portrait on the obverse and Victory advancing on the reverse—corresponds, by typological concordance, to the quinarius listed as RIC 44 / RSC 226, with the legend sequence IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM on the obverse and P M TR P COS III P P on the reverse, a description fixed in a stable manner across consultable numismatic references and databases.

Careful observation under ×10 magnification and raking light: the specimen, of small module and light weight, shows a strike consistent with Rome’s quinarius production on a naturally irregular flan, with the principal relief preserved—the laureate profile and, on the reverse, the dynamic silhouette of Victory with wreath and palm—while the ancient circulation, visible in the softness of the fields and partial attenuation at the periphery, does not prevent identification through the decisive iconographic markers of the type.

Authority: Trajan (AD 98–117).

Mint: Rome.

Denomination / metal: Quinarius, silver (AR).

Diameter / weight: 14 mm; 1.43 g (data recorded for the specimen).

Obverse (type and legend): IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right (segments of titulature readable and recognizable according to the type formula).

Reverse (type and legend): P M TR P COS III P P, Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm (structuring attributes observable on the specimen despite even wear).

References: RIC 44; RSC 226.

The quinarius, a silver denomination smaller than the denarius, served as a privileged vehicle for conveying, in a compact format, an immediately legible imperial message; the Trajan/Victory pairing belongs to an official language in which the wreath and palm condense the idea of legitimate success and continuity of honors, at a moment when the titulature GERM still participates in affirming the military achievements of the nascent principate.

For the collector, this quinarius offers a highly sought quality: the density of a small module that preserves, within a few millimeters, an immediately attributable imperial portrait and a reverse of strong symbolic clarity—Victory being one of the most universal visual archetypes of Roman coinage—making it an excellent milestone for a Trajan collection, for early issues, or for silver “Victory” types.

The provenance is European, from an established numismatic dealer, and the acquisition was made through a specialized international transaction conducted within a recognized numismatic network, in accordance with the highest standards of the art and heritage market; the attribution is established by concordance of the legends and type with RIC 44 / RSC 226, as described in consultable references, and by comparison with like specimens published in standard numismatic databases.
Each specimen is examined, described, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity consistent with the standards of the art and heritage market, the description remaining deliberately tied to elements verifiable by observation and documentation.