Roman Empire. Trajan (AD 98-117). Sestertius

Trajan, Roman Emperor from AD 98 to 117, is celebrated for bringing the empire to its greatest territorial extent. His reign is well represented numismatically by the Sestertius, a large bronze coin used extensively for official and commemorative issues. The sestertius was valuable in daily commerce but also functioned as a medium for imperial propaganda, often depicting Trajan's military victories, public works, or personifications like Roma or Fortuna. Collectors and historians value these coins for their detailed artistry and as tangible relics of Trajan's prosperous and militarily successful rule, which included major infrastructure projects like Trajan's Forum and Column in Rome.