Marcus Ulpius Trajanus was adopted as Caesar by Nerva in AD 97 and he became sole emperor the following year. Trajan campaigned on the German frontier and secured the Roman provinces against the Dacians. His early reign was marked by various building projects. Trajan invaded Dacia in AD 101 and received the title Dacicus. The Dacian war was resumed in AD 105. Dacia was defeated and added as a new province to the Roman empire. In the East the kingdom of Nabatea was annexed - it became the province of Arabia the next year. The same fate befell Armenia in AD 113, Mesopotamia was incorporated in AD 115. Trajan captured the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon, the following year and was awarded the title Parthicus by the senate. In AD 117, on his return to Rome, Trajan died unexpectedly in Cilicia.
The sestertius above celebrates Trajan's success during the second Dacian war. Issued c. AD 103 - 111.

Obv. Trajan, laureate facing right, IMP. CAES. NERVA. F. TRAIANO. AVG. GER. DAC. P. M. TR. P. COS.

Rev. Trajan in military dress, holding spear, crowned by Victory with palm branch, both standing, SPQR. OPTIMO. PRINCIPI. S. C.

Obv. Diademed bust of Hercules right with lion-skin on neck - IMP. CAES. TRAIAN. AVG. GERM. This series of quadrantes was struck during the first years of Trajan's reign, before AD 104 when the imperial bust was often replaced by that of Hercules. Early in his reign Trajan was often identified with Hercules Gaditanus (Hercules of Gades) to emphasise his Spanish origins, and also with Jupiter - as divine justification of the emperor's power.
Rev. Boar walking right, prominent S. C. in ex.

Obv. Trajan laureate right, IMP. TAIANO AVG. GER. DAC. PM. TR. P.
Rev. Spes advancing, holding flower, lifting skirt, COS. V PP. SPQR OPTIMO PRINC. Struck after AD 103.