On the occasion of celebrating 1900 years since the beginning of the Romanisation of Dacia and the Latinisation of the territory between the Carpathians and the Danube, the National Bank of Romania is to launch, as of 18 September 2006, an issue of a Dacian-Roman thematic series comprising four numismatic replicas of ancient Roman coins issued after the conquest of Dacia by Emperor Traianus.
Given the Latin origin of both Romanian and French languages, the National Bank of Romania launches this numismatic issue on the eve of an outstanding international event, namely the 11th Summit of the International Francophone Organisation. Heads of state from 63 countries from all over the world will attend the event hosted by Romania during 25-29 September.
(1) The replica of a silver denarius issued by Emperor Traianus in 107 A.D. has the following characteristics:
- metal: silver;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- shape: irregularly round;
- weight: 3.36 grams;
- diameter: 20 mm;
- coinage: 500 pieces.
Obverse: in the middle, the portrait of Emperor Traianus, crowned with laurels, looking to the right; on the outer part, the text "IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P", which means IMPERATOR TRAIAN AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS DACICUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS TRIBUNICIA POTESTATE, i.e. Emperor Traianus Augustus, conqueror of the Germans and of the Dacians, Grand Priest and Tribune.
Reverse: in the middle, the Danube River (Danubius) personified as an old man with a bare-naked chest, lying on his side, on a stone bed, looking to the left, while resting his arm on a ship's bow. On the outer part, the circular text "COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC", and below the image the text "DANVVIVS", which means CONSUL V PATER PATRIAE SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS OPTIMO PRINCIPI, i.e. Consul for the fifth time, Father of Homeland, the Senate and the Roman People of the best Prince, Danubius.
(2) The replica of a bronze sestertius issued by Emperor Traianus between 112 and 114 A.D. has the following characteristics:
- metal: copper-plated tombac;
- shape: irregularly round;
- weight: 24 grams;
- diameter: 33 mm;
- coinage: 500 pieces.
Obverse: in the middle, the portrait of Emperor Traianus, crowned with laurels, looking to the right; on the outer part, the text "IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P", which means IMPERATOR CEZAR NERVA TRAIAN AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS DACICUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS TRIBUNICIA POTESTATE CONSUL VI PATER PATRIAE, i.e. Emperor Caesar Nerva Traianus Augustus, conqueror of the Germans and of the Dacians, Grand Priest and Tribune, Consul for the sixth time, Father of Homeland.
Reverse: in the middle, Dacia personified as a woman wearing a draped dress, sitting on a stone pedestal, holding the Roman flag of the province in her left hand; two children to her right, one holding a bunch of grapes and the other one holding a bundle of ears; on the outer part, the circular text "DACIA AV / GVST", and below the image, the text "PROVINCIA S C", which means PROVINCIA DACIA AUGUSTA SENATUS CONSULTUS, i.e. the august Province of Dacia [coin issued] with the Senate's approval.
(3) The replica of an aureus - gold coin issued by Emperor Traianus between 112 and 117 A.D. has the following characteristics:
- metal: gold;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- shape: irregularly round;
- weight: 7.243 g;
- diameter: 20 mm;
- coinage: 250 pieces.
Obverse: in the middle, the portrait of Emperor Traianus, crowned with laurels, looking to the right; on the outer part, the text "IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P", which means IMPERATOR TRAIAN AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS DACICUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS TRIBUNICIA POTESTATE CONSUL VI PATER PATRIAE, i.e. Emperor Traianus Augustus, conqueror of the Germans and the Dacians, Grand Priest, Tribune, Consul for the sixth time, Father of Homeland.
Reverse: in the middle, the Column of Traianus in Rome, two eagles at the bottom and the emperor's statue at the top; on the outer part, the text "S P Q R OPTI / MO PRINCIPI", which means SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS OPTIMO PRINCIPI, i.e. the Senate and the Roman People of the best Prince.
(4) The replica of an aureus - gold coin issued by Emperor Hadrianus between 125 and 128 A.D. - has the following characteristics:
- metal: gold;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- shape: irregularly round;
- weight: 7.38 g;
- diameter: 20 mm;
- coinage: 250 pieces.
Obverse: in the middle, the portrait of Emperor Hadrianus, crowned with laurels, looking to the right; on the outer part, the text "HADRIANUS AUGUSTUS".
Reverse: in the middle, the She-wolf and the twin brothers Romulus and Remus; on the upper and lower parts, the text "COS III", which means CONSUL III, i.e. Consul for the third time.
Each replica is embedded in a transparent plastic capsule and is accompanied by a leaflet and an authentication certificate (in Romanian and French), bearing the signature of both the Governor and the Head Cashier. The replicas will be presented in appropriate cases having the NBR logo - BNR - inscribed on the lid.
The numismatic replicas of ancient Roman coins, issued after the conquest of the Dacians by Emperor Traianus, are put into circulation through the branches of the National Bank of Romania in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iaşi, and Timişoara.