Coins
When Emperor Trajan used
coins for propaganda...
Whether they’re Roman or other, ancient coins often have a special history. During the reign of Emperor Trajan, they were used as propaganda tools. In this article dedicated to numismatics, we want to tell you about the aureus, sesterces and other gold and silver coins used to send messages to the population. Messages to the population on coins Trajan was one of the emperors to mint the most coins. One reason for this was the devaluation of Roman coinage in AD 107. At the time, he decreased the purity of the silver in the denarius, which enabled him to issue many more. Trajan used money as a propaganda tool. He had his first coins minted at the beginning of his reign. Their message stated that Trajan had received his power from the Senate. In 103, he received the title of « best and most noble prince ».
From that time on, the title appeared on all of the new coins issued by the empire. In 105, when he annexed Arabia Petrae, the coins stated «Arabia adquisita» to inform the population of the expansion of the Empire’s territory. He used the same process for coins from 116 to 117, when Armenia and Mesopotamia were annexed.] Laurent Schmitt of www.cgbfr. com, wrote an excellent study about Trajan’s aureus in April 2014. Trajan carries an aegis on his left shoulder. This goat skin, which covers his shoulders, is Aureus Trajan with Laurel wreath.
Tail of a dupondius bearing the words « Senatus Populus que Romanus ». Tail of a sesterce bearing the words « optissimi principi ».
30 Delcampe Magazine
