- Stock: In Stock
- Model: DIVO TRAIANO
Trajan Decius AD 249-251. Commemorative issue for Divus Traianus. Rome
Antoninianus AR
22 mm, 4,0 g
DIVO TRAIANO, radiate head of Divus Traianus to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder / CONSECRATIO, proud Roman Eagle standing with spread wings
Very Fine
RIC 85b.
Shortly after ascending to the throne, Emperor Decius sought to strengthen his position by revitalizing traditional Roman religious practices. However, by the mid-3rd century, the old Roman pantheon had lost much of its prominence. In response, Decius issued a rare series of antoniniani in 250-251 AD, honoring eleven deified emperors-including the somewhat unexpected inclusion of Commodus. Interestingly, the selection does not encompass all deified rulers of the time, notably omitting figures such as Julius Caesar, Claudius, Pertinax, and Caracalla, with no clear explanation for these absences. Adding to the mystery, the series features Severus Alexander, an emperor who was never officially deified. The coin reverses display either an altar, or an eagle, which appears in various artistic representations.