Antoninianus of Traianus Decius - 1966.61

Acquisition number: 1966.61

Other images

Rev.: Winged Victory running, holding a palm-branch and a wreath

Obv.: Bust of Traianus Decius r., radiate, draped, cuirassed. IMP(erator) C(aius) M(essius) Q(uintus) TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG(ustus).

Rev.: Winged victory running l. with a palm in her left hand and a wreath in her right. VICTORIA AVG(usti).

Title: Antoninianus of Traianus Decius - 1966.61

Acquisition number: 1966.61

Author or editor: Beryl Rawson

Culture or period: Roman Imperial

Date: AD 250

Material: Metal - Copper-silver alloy

Object type: Coins - Roman

Dimensions: 21mm (w)

Origin region or location: Italy

Origin city: Rome

Display case or on loan: 7

Keywords: Coin, antoninianus, Roman, Imperial, Traianus Decius, Victory

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 9387; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) IV 29(c); Robertson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow 5 vols (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1962-1982) III 239 no. 13 and pl. 76; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) IV 113a.

1966.61

Antoninianus of Traianus Decius

4.392 g. AD 250

Obv.: Bust of Traianus Decius r., radiate, draped, cuirassed. IMP(erator) C(aius) M(essius) Q(uintus) TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG(ustus).

Rev.: Winged victory running l. with a palm in her left hand and a wreath in her right. VICTORIA AVG(usti).

Minted in Rome.

Decius had been sent by Philip I to the Danube frontier, where he was acclaimed emperor in AD 249. As emperor he celebrated his Dacian origin by using the name Traianus in memory of the emperor Trajan who had made Dacia a Roman province. (See Mattingly and Sydenham 113-114.)

The full obverse legend on this coin characterises those issued from late AD 249 to July 251. There is no mention of tribunician power or consulship on Decius’ coins to facilitate dating.

The Victory probably commemorates Decius’ successes in AD 248-249, or expresses a more general hope for victory on the northern frontier. A victory against the Goths in 251 was celebrated by ‘Victoria Germanica’ coins.

Decius was killed in AD 251 in battle against the Goths.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 9387; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) IV 29(c); Robertson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow 5 vols (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1962-1982) III 239 no. 13 and pl. 76; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) IV 113a.