Trajan. AD 98-117. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.20 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 107. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / SPQR/OPTIMO/PRINCIPI in three lines within oak wreath. RIC II 150; Woytek 224f; Calicó 1088 var. (shorter rev. legend); BMCRE 253-6; Morgan 112 (this coin); Biaggi 545. Minor marks. Good Fine. Rare.
In AD 103 or 104, the Roman Senate declared Trajan "Optimus Princeps"– the best emperor – linking the beloved temporal ruler with the principal deity and protector of the Roman state, Jupiter Optimus Maximus ("the Best and Greatest"). This aureus celebrates the award of this unprecedented title