Lately I've been buying 3rd century antoniniani on an accelerated pace. This new one comes from @John Anthony 's auction of last week. The portrait is very detailed and the reverse very finely struck. Of course, we all know that Decius was the first Roman emperor to die on the field against one of the empire's foes, in this case the Goths. During his short reign the empire's problems mounted and we move into the time frame where the crisis of the 3rd century indeed became acute, socially, economically, militarily, and politically. The reverse of the coin portrays Abundantia, a goddess that was the divine personification of abundance and prosperity. She was among the embodiments of virtues in religious propaganda that cast the emperor as the ensurer of 'Golden Age' conditions. Trajan Decius A.D. 249-251 AR Antoninianus, 4.1 grams, 23 mm Rome mint Obverse: IMP C M Q TRAJANVS DECIVS AVG, Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: ABVND ANTIA AVG; Abundantia standing right, emptying cornucopiae held in both hands. Reference: RIC IVc 10b, p. 121 From: the Arnoldoe collection Feel free to post either your Decius or Abundantia types here!
Beautiful coin! Emperor Decius was responsible for ordering the execution of Philopater Mercurius during his persecution of the Christians.
Great capture @ancient coin hunter ! Nice quality, and from a great provider even with his Vanna hand poses... My Decius RI Trajan Decius 249-251 CE AR Ant Dacia draco standard
Continuing my evening's attempt to show coins not like all others is this Decius Victory which just does not match the style of most Decius coins. Is it barbarous? I like the style. My double sestertius of Decius is one of the worst I have seen. Most are more round and just plain more impressive. On the other hand, these coins are popular and tend to sell well over my head so I feel fortunate to have found this one.
Nice Trajan Decius! Really nice reverse. Here a Trajan Decius / Pannoniae (representing those pesky legionaries that forced Decius at sword point to claim the purple Down w/ Phillip!
Here's a Victoria reverse to compare to @dougsmit 's. It was struck with a fresh obverse die but the reverse die had seen better days: Trajan Decius, AD 249-251 Roman Billon Antoninianus; 21.7 mm, 3.62 gm, 7 h Rome, AD 250 Obv: IMP CMQ TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust, r. Rev: VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing l., holding wreath and palm. Refs: RIC 29c; Hunter 13; RSC 113a; RCV 9387.
I have one similar to Roman Collector's, in the sense that it's nice on one side, and not quite so on the other. TRAJAN DECIUS AR Antoninianus. 4.91g, 21.4mm. Rome mint, AD 249-250. RIC 12b; Cohen 16. O: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. O: DACIA, Dacia standing left holding staff topped with a wolf's head. This one is heavy for a mid-3rd century sestertius at 28.3g, but it's still no double . TRAJAN DECIUS AE Sestertius. 28.32g, 32.7mm. Rome mint, AD 249-250. RIC 112a (scarce); Cohen 18. O: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, laureate, cuirassed bust right. R: DACIA, Dacia standing left holding staff surmounted by ass's head or draco; S-C in field.
I have a soft spot for coins showing the emperor on horseback: Silver Double Denarius Rome mint Obv: IMP TRAIAN DECIVS AVG Rev: ADVENTVS AVG - Emperor on horseback, riding left, raising right hand and holding short scepter RIC 1(b) 22mm, 2.9g.
Yes, he took the step of requiring Christians to renounce their faith and sacrifice to the genius of the emperor as a way of returning to traditional values. According to Christian writers this led to significant persecutions and martyrdoms, sadly.
