Lot 655
Trajan Decius (AD 249-251), Gold Aureus, 3.80g. Trajan Decius (AD 249-251), Gold Aureus, 3.80g. Mint of Rome, AD 249/50. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust facing right. Rev. ABVNDANTIA AVG, Abundantia standing right, emptying contents of cornucopiae (cf RIC 10; Calicó 3282b). Lustrous, superb extremely fine. One of the first Roman emperors to hail from Illyricum, Decius was an able administrator and senator who had held several high commands under his predecessors, including the consulship in AD 232. Under Philip I he was sent to quell the revolt of the usurper Pacatian, and after doing so allowed his troops to proclaim him emperor. This led to an engagement against Philip near Verona, where the latter was killed. The Senate in Rome subsequently recognized Decius’s acclamation by his troops, and further bestowed upon him the name Traianus in reference to his predecessor of the same name, who was regarded as the best and greatest of all Roman emperors. Both Decius and his son and co-ruler, Herennius Etruscus, were killed while valiantly fighting the Goths, and his general Trebonianus Gallus assumed the emperorship after their deaths.
Estimated Value $12,500-UP.
|
| |
| Unsold |
