Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Julius Germanicus, post: 2960790, member: 80783&quot;]Even though it could be improved detail- and shape-wise, I think this Sestertius of Trajan Decius´ wife is above average in quality for a mid third century bronze coin, with full legends and a big flan.</p><p><br /></p><p>Also it does not show Herennia´s usual reverse, Pudicitia, but the rarer Fecunditas type that was introduced only in 251, presumably to promote the flourishing dynasty after Herennius Etruscus and Hostilian had both been promoted to Caesars.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]724635[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>HERENNIA ETRVSCILLA AVG&nbsp; - Diademed, draped bust right, hair ridged in waves, seen three quarters from the front, wearing stephane</p><p>FECVNDITAS AVG S C – Fecunditas, wearing long dress and cloak,&nbsp; standing left, holding cornucopia in left hand and placing right hand over child standing in front of her and raising both it´s hands.</p><p>Sestertius, Rome (6th officina) early 251 a.D. (fifth emission of Trajan Decius)</p><p>31 mm / 17,55 gr</p><p>RIC 134a (R), Cohen 9, Banti 3, Sear 9504</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]724636[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>After the further elevation of Herennius Etruscus to Augustus around June 251, the reverse legend was expanded to FECUNDITAS AVGG (RIC 135 a), but these are quite rare as both Decius and Herennius perished in the swamps of Abritus just a month later and the new ruler Trebonianus Gallus had no intent to keep promoting the fertility of the old dynasty that was still represented by Herennia and her surviving son Hostilian, who was promoted Augustus by the Senate before the general managed to enter Rome.</p><p><br /></p><p>The only surviving sculpture of Herennia Etruscilla may be the lady depicted on the lid of the famous Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus which is kept in Mainz, Germany (the sarcophagus itself is in Rome):</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]724644[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>If that is indeed her, it would make it easier to identify the &quot;owner&quot; of this magnificent piece of art.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-great-ludovisi-sarcophagus.301896/#post-2835092" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-great-ludovisi-sarcophagus.301896/#post-2835092">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-great-ludovisi-sarcophagus.301896/#post-2835092</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Interestingly, Bulgarian archeologists have recently claimed to have discovered the battlefield of Abritus:</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2016/09/15/archaeologists-identify-battlefield-of-251-ad-roman-goth-battle-of-abritus-near-bulgarias-dryanovets/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2016/09/15/archaeologists-identify-battlefield-of-251-ad-roman-goth-battle-of-abritus-near-bulgarias-dryanovets/" rel="nofollow">http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2016/09/15/archaeologists-identify-battlefield-of-251-ad-roman-goth-battle-of-abritus-near-bulgarias-dryanovets/</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in