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Traian Decius
Caius Messius Quintus Decius was born in the province of Pannonia Inferior and had been governor of Moesia around 234. When he was appointed by the emperor Philip to restore the piece and order along the Danube frontier he was praefectus urbi (city prefect) of Rome. Decius was seen as the right man for the job because he was born in the region and had been governor of Moesia. Philip was also impressed of his prediction that the usurpation of Pacatian would not last very long and the problem would resolve itself. The appointment of Decius by the emperor Philip would turn out to be a great mistake. At first the regime of Philip was restored in the region. Sestertii exist struck in the name of Philip or his son Philip II with the local year XI (july 249 - july 250). But .jpg)
soon after Decius was proclaimed emperor by the armies who guarded the Danube frontier. It is written that Decius accepted with reluctance and he supposedly wrote a letter to the emperor Philip saying that he would step back as soon as he could. Philip however did not trust him and made up for battle as a result of wich he died. It is not sure if he died in battle or was killed by his own soldiers. After the victory over Philip, Decius added the name Traian to his own name and became known as Traian Decius. In doing so he compared himself and his victories with those of the very popular emperor Traian from the beginning of the second century. He had been a great military leader en was victorious in many battles in the Balkan aerea. Since some time now an emperor started new building projects in Rome, the road system was improved and restored and the emperor build the baths of Decius on the Aventine hill. Decius supposedly re-instated the post of censor which he gave to the later emperor Valerian. The task of the censor was making and updating a list of the people of Rome and to see who was suited for military service. He also looked at their social status and wealth and gave them political rights based on the taxation (census) he made. Most scholars however think that Decius did not make Valerian a censor but had put him in charge of the financial side of the empire while he himself went on campaign against the Goths together with his eldest son Herennius. Decius is accused by many scholars of starting a persecution of Christians. He demanded that everyone should make an offering to the Gods of the State and by doing so would receive a written proof, a so called libellus. It looks like Decius demanded a certain loyalty of his soldiers and subjects in this time of turmoil, war and rapidly succeeding emperors. The Christians were a group of people who were only loyal to one god and so they were affected by this law more than other groups. Because of this the late Christian writers took this period as a period of persecution of Christians.
Decius had two sons, Quintus Herennius Etruscus Messius Decius and Gaius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus. Both were proclaimed Caesar by their father. Herennius around may/june 250 and Hostilian in september 250. Herennius, the oldest, was appointed co-emperor by his father around may/june 251. Soon after that Decius and his son Herennius took out for battle again in the Balkan aerea. The Carpi and the Goths had invaded the Danube aerea, plundering and killing the inhabitants of the provinces. After some initial successes father and son met their deaths in june 251 during the battle at Abrittus against Cniva, the king of the Goths. They were last mentioned as ruling emperors on 9 june 251 but on 24 june 251 they are named divus, diefied and thus deceased (Rathbone 1986). One of Decius generals, Trebonianus Gallus, tried to save as much as he could and was proclaimed emperor by the troops as the result of it, a decision that was ratified by the senate.
Rathbone, D.W. The dates of the recognition in Egypt of the emperors from Caracalla to Diocletianus, Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik, Bd. 62 (1986), pp. 101-131.
The coins of Traian Decius from Viminacium
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Denominations struck: dupondius and sestertius.
The dupondii have a portrait with the emperor wearing a radiate crown. The sestertii are bigger and heavier and the emperor has a portrait with laurel wreath.
Used notations of the local year:
AN XI, used from august/september 249 until july 250.
AN
XII, used from july 250 until may/june 251.
Obverse text variations used:
A: IMP CAES C MES Q DECIVS PF AVG
B: IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG
C: IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AV
D: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG
E: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AV
Reverse text variations used:
a: PMSC - OLVIM
b: PMS - C - OLVIM
c: PMS - CO - LVIM
d: PMSC O LVIM
e: PMSC - OLV - IM
f: PMS - C - O - LVIM
g: PM - SCOLVIM
h: PMS - COLVIM
AN XI |
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| Dupondius ANNO XI - 249/250 - Pick 126 - Martin 3.06.1 - Varbanov - | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 5,92 grams Diameter: 24 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with radiate crown, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The portrait has some of the looks of his predecessor Philip. Text: (B:) IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG (IMPERATOR TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) to the left, in her right hand she is raising a branch and in the left she is holding a scepter. To the left of Moesia a bull and to the right a lion. Text: (b:) PMS - C - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XI (ANNO XI) - year 11 (249/250). Remark: This dupondius is a somewhat later issue from the year 11. The coin has an obverse legend with only a few of the names of Decius but already with the name Traian added to his name. On the reverse Moesia is holding a branch in her hand wich breaks the reverse legend and a scepter in the other. The branch symbolises peace and the scepter is a sign of power. On this coin the new emperor Decius is probably honored as pacator orbis, bringer of piece in the Roman world. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XI - 249/250 - Pick 123 - Martin 3.01.1 - Varbanov - (Verg. 174) | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 16,14 grams Diameter: 28 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The portrait still has some of the looks of his predecessor Philip. Text: (A:) IMP CAES C MES Q DECIVS PF AVG (IMPERATOR CAESAR CAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS DECIVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor, Caesar Caius Messius Quintus Decius dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) to the left, in her right hand she is raising a branch and in the left she is holding a scepter. On top of the scepter is placed a figure of Victoria holding a laurel wreath towards the head of Moesia. To the left of Moesia a bull and to the right a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XI (ANNO XI) - year 11 (249/250). Remark: This sestertius is an early issue from the year 11. All the names of Decius are included in the obverse legend along with pius felix but without the later added name Traian. The portrait still has some of the looks of his predecessor Philip. On the reverse Moesia is holding a branch in her hands and a scepter in the other. The branch symbolises peace and the scepter with the figure of Victoria is a sign of power and victory. On this coin the new emperor Decius is probably honored as pacator orbis, bringer of piece in the Roman world and victor over Philip. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XI - 249/250 - Pick 123 var. - Martin 3.01.2 var. - Varbanov - (Verg. 174) | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 15,46 grams Diameter: 29 mm |
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| Sestertius ANNO XI - 249/250 - Pick 124 - Martin 3.02.1 - Varbanov 162 | |
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Private collection Weight: 14,91 grams Diameter: 28,4 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The portrait still has some of the looks of his predecessor Philip. Text: (A:) IMP CAES C MES Q DECIVS PF AVG (IMPERATOR CAESAR CAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS DECIVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor, Caesar Caius Messius Quintus Decius dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XI (ANNO XI) - year 11 (249/250). Remark: This sestertius is an early issue from the year 11. All the names of Decius are included in the obverse legend along with pius felix but without the later added name Traian. The portrait still has some of the looks of his predecessor Philip. The reverse of the coin is of the traditional type with the standing Moesia with bull and lion. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XI - 249/250 - Pick 124 var. - Martin 3.02.1 - Varbanov 162 | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 13,39 grams Diameter: 28 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. It looks like as if the die cutter tried to make the portrait look more like that of Decius. Text: (A:) IMP CAES C MES Q DECIVS PF AVG (IMPERATOR CAESAR CAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS DECIVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor, Caesar Caius Messius Quintus Decius dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XI (ANNO XI) - year 11 (249/250). Remark: This sestertius is probably a somewhat later issue from the year 11. All the names of Decius are included in the obverse legend along with pius felix but still without the later added name Traian. It looks as if the die cutter tried to make the portrait look more like Decius but now it does not resemble Philip or Decius. The reverse of the coin is of the traditional type with the standing Moesia with bull and lion. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XI - 249/250 - Pick 125 - Martin 3.04.1 - Varbanov 163 | |
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Copyright Classical Numismatic Group Weight: 20,92 grams Diameter: 30 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The portrait still looks a little that of Philip. Text: (B:) IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG (IMPERATOR TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XI (ANNO XI) - year 11 (249/250). Remark: Late sestertius from the year 11. The name of Decius is shortened but the addition Traianus is now included. |
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AN XII |
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| Dupondius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 129 var. - Martin - (Comp. 3.21) - Varbanov 167 var. | |
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Copyright Classical Numismatic Group Weight: 5,58 grams Diameter: 25 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with radiate crown, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (C:) IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AV (IMPERATOR TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: Early dupondius from the year 12 struck on a large flan but with a normal weight. |
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| Dupondius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 127 var. - Martin 3.21.1 - Varbanov 167 var. | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 5,00 grams Diameter: 21 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with radiate crown, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The cloak is ornamented with a distinct square motif. The portrait now has the looks of Decius. Text: (C:) IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AV (IMPERATOR TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: The cloak Decius is wearing is ornamented with a distinct square motif. The portrait now has the looks of Decius and the name Traian is added in the obverse legend. |
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| Dupondius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 127 var. - Martin 3.21.2 - Varbanov 167 var. | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 4,15 grams Diameter: 23 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with radiate crown, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The cloak is ornamented with a distinct square motif. The portrait has the looks of Decius. Text: (C:) IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AV (IMPERATOR TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (d:) PMSC O LVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: On this dupondius the cloak Decius is wearing is also ornamented with a distinct square motif and is clearly vissible here. The portrait now has the distinct looks of Decius and the name Traian is added in the obverse legend. On the reverse the letter O is placed somewhat separate from the rest above the head of Moesia. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 128 - Martin 3.14.1 - Varbanov 166 | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 13,18 grams Diameter: 27 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Tekst: (D:) IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: This sestertius is an early issue from the year 12. All the names of Decius are included in the obverse legend together with the adopted name Traian but this time without pius felix. The portrait is slim and has the looks of Decius. The reverse of the coin is of the traditional type with the standing Moesia with bull and lion. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 127 var. - Martin 3.20.2 - Varbanov - (Verg. 166) | |
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Collection Brian on Tantalus coin registry Weight: ? grams Diameter: ? mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (C:) IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AV (IMPERATOR TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: Portrait of Decius with round head and legend with few titles. The reverse of the coin is of the traditional type with the standing Moesia with bull and lion. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick - - Martin 3.03.1 - Varbanov - (Verg. 172) | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 14,48 grams Diameter: 28 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The cloak is ornamented with a distinct square motif. Text: (D:) IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) to the left, in her right hand she is raising a branch and in the left she is holding a scepter. On top of the scepter is placed a figure of Victoria holding a laurel wreath towards the head of Moesia. To the left of Moesia a bull and to the right a lion. Text: (b:) PMS - C - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: On the reverse Moesia is holding a branch in her hand and a scepter in the other. The branch symbolises peace and the scepter with the figure of Victoria is a sign of power and victory. On this coin the new emperor Decius is probably honored as pacator orbis, bringer of piece in the Roman world and victor over his enemies. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick - - Martin 3.30.1 - Varbanov - (Verg. 168) | |
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Collection Srumhalf on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 13,94 grams Diameter: 26 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The cloak is ornamented with a distinct square motif. Text: (C:) IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AV (IMPERATOR TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) to the left, in her right hand she is holding a cornucopia and on her left hand a globe wich breaks the legend. To the left of Moesia a bull and to the right a lion. Text: (e:) PMSC - OLV - IM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: On this sestertius Moesia is probably depicted as Abundantia. As a sign of an era of plenty she is wearing a cornucopia in her right hand. On her left hand she is holding a globe. On this coin the emperor Decius is probably honored as bringer of fortunate times of plenty to the Roman world. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 131 - Martin 3.16.1 - Varbanov 176 | |
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Numismatik Lanz Gewicht: 14,22 gram Diameter: 27 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The cloak is ornamented with a distinct square motif. Text: (D:) IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) to the left, in her right hand she is raising a branch wich breaks the legend and in her right arm she is holding a cornucopia (horn of plenty). To the left of Moesia a bull and to the right a lion. Text: (b:) PMS - C - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: On this sestertius Moesia is holding something in her right hand that looks like a winged scepter but is probably a branch. In her left arm she is holding a cornucopia (horn of plenty). The branch is a symbol for the restored peace and the cornucopia is a symbol that indicates that the good times of plenty have returned with the house of Decius. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 132 - Martin 3.18.1 var. - Varbanov 168 | |
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Collection Srumhalf on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 14,04 grams Diameter: 28 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The cloak is ornamented with a distinct square motif. Text: (D:) IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) to the left, in her right hand she is raising a branch wich breaks the legend and on her left hand a globe wich also breaks the legend. To the left of Moesia a bull and to the right a lion. Text: (f:) PMS - C - O - LVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: On this sestertius Moesia is probably depicted as Pax. The branch symbolises peace and the globe the known Roman world. On this coin the emperor Decius is probably honored as pacator orbis, the bringer of peace to the Roman world. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 132 var. - Martin 3.25.2 - Varbanov 168 | |
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Ebay Weight: 14,55 grams Diameter: 26 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The cloak is ornamented with a distinct square motif. Text: (B:) IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG (IMPERATOR TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) to the left, in her right hand she is raising a branch wich breaks the legend and on her left hand a globe. This time the globe does NOT break the legend. To the left of Moesia a bull and to the right a lion. Text: (h:) PMS - COLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: On this sestertius Moesia is probably depicted as Pax. The branch symbolises peace and the globe the known Roman world. This time the globe does NOT break the legend. On this coin the emperor Decius is probably honored as pacator orbis, the bringer of peace to the Roman world. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 133 - - Martin 3.15.2 - Varbanov 169 | |
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Classical Numismatic Group Weight: 15,85 grams Diameter: 29 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Decius to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (E:) IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AV (IMPERATOR CAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) to the left, in her right hand she is raising a branch wich breaks the legend. She is holding her left hand above the lion next to her. On the other side a standing bull. Text: (g:) PM - SCOLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: On this sestertius Moesia is probably depicted as Pax. In her right hand she is raising a branch wich breaks the legend and holds her left hand above the lion next to her. On this sestertius Moesia is probably depicted as Pax. The branch symbolises peace. On this coin the emperor Decius is probably honored as pacator orbis, the bringer of peace. |
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