ambr0zie Posted February 29 · Member Share Posted February 29 Although for me, the goal "1 coin for each emperor" is no longer an active chase, because I realized a long time ago that it's simply not worth it for me. Some obscure emperors, some - not so obscure but very expensive - we all know them. But adding new figures in my collection is still an active goal and I am happy when I tick a box - especially a family. After adding Decius and Herennia Etruscilla coins, I often looked for Herennius Etruscus and Hostilian but I never found the perfect examples - eye appeal and price. Decius is one of the many examples of barracks emperors from the chaotic 3rd century. More or less they followed the same pattern - they were proclaimed emperors (the army had a big influence), more than once overthrowing/killing the current emperor, had a short reign, ending in the same way it started. But Decius was a little different than the normal barracks emperor. He was not an ordinary soldier, he was a senator, suffect consul, governor of Moesia, Germania Inferior, Hispania Tarraconensis, urban prefect of Rome. So he had large experience in administration. When Pacatian's revolt started, Decius was assigned by the emperor Philip the Arab to deal with this revolt. Decius succeded, but ... he was proclaimed emperor and killed Philip. Some sources claim Decius was not willing to accept this position and he was almost forced by the Senate, who also gave him the attribute Traianus, referencing emperor Traian. As an emperor, Decius tried to revive the old Roman traditions and lifestyle. Including religion (he persecuted the Christians in a worse way than all his predecessors). He restored some historical buildings - the most importan one being the Colosseum and ordered the building of Baths of Decius. But Decius remains in history for another event - he was the first emperor dying in battle against the enemies - in this case the Goths, in the battle of Abritus, along with his his son, Herennius Etruscus. The next emperor was general Trebonianus Gallus who immediately named Hostilian, the only surviving son of Decius, as co-emperor. Hostilian died soon after - the most probable cause being the plague. That was the shortlived Decius dynasty. Adding a Decius (or Herennia Etruscila) in a collection is not a difficult task. Things are getting a little more complex with the sons. Especially if quality is a major factor. Note - Herennius Etruscus as Augustus coins are very rare. It would have been nicer to have 4 coins from the same mint (Imperial or a province - note - I have the information that at least one certain member has all 4 from the same province and might share them). But I am very happy with the current status too. First - Decius - a coin type that was a major target due to Dacia reverse. 21 mm, 2,28 g. Trajan Decius 249-251. AR antoninianus. Rome. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, bust of Trajan Decius, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right / DACIA, Dacia, draped in long robe reaching feet, standing left holding staff topped with a wolf's head (Draco). RIC IV Trajan Decius 12b. I couldn't resist this tetradrachm from Antioch. 26 mm, 12,18 g. Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Trajan Decius 249-251. Billon tetradrachm. ΑΥΤ Κ Γ ΜƐ ΚΥ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ΔƐΚΙΟϹ ϹƐΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Decius, r., seen from rear; below bust: ••••• / ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ, S C, eagle standing on palm, l., spreading wings, holding wreath in beak. Group 3, officina 5. RPC IX, 1745; Prieur 584 (15); McAlee 1126e. Herennia Etruscilla - I wanted to add a variation as I think 90% of Herennia Etruscilla coins in collections are antoninianii with Pudicitia or Antioch tetradrachms. I added a denomination that's not very common - an as. 26 mm, 8,79 g. Herennia Etruscilla 249-251. Æ as. Rome. HERENNIA ETRVSCILLA AVG, bust of Herennia Etruscilla, diademed, draped, right / PVDICITIA AVG S C, Pudicitia, draped, veiled, seated left, drawing veil with right hand, holding sceptre in left hand. RIC IV Trajan Decius 136c. Herennius Etruscus - well this was the first challenge. I tried to get an antoninianus a few times but failed, many times failed big time. So I did not hesitate at all when I had the chanvce to buy an Antioch tetradrachm. Not the best example out there but the coin is decent and perfect to illustrate Herennius in my collection. 26,6 mm, 11,5 g. Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Herennius Etruscus as Caesar 249-251. Billon tetradrachm. ΕΡΕΝΝ ΕΤΡΟΥ ΜΕ ΚΥ ΔΕΚΙΟϹ ΚΕϹΑΡ, bare-headed and draped bust of Etruscus, right, seen from rear; below bust: •••• (Group 3, Officina 4) / ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ, S C, eagle standing on palm, right, spreading wings, holding wreath in beak. RPC IX, 1743; Prieur 635 (27); McAlee 1152d. As for Hostilian, this was a bigger challenge. We can't consider him a very rare ruler (although I am not even mentioning his coins as Augustus) but it can become pricy. I also checked the provincial coins for more obscure provinces, to make it more interesting, but did not find an example to like, and, of course, to afford. In the end, even if for my style I feel I slightly overpaid, I added a Hostilian coin - a sestertius. It has the classic characteristics of a 3rd century sestertius - irregularly shaped flan (also small flan). 28,4 mm, 18,07 g. Hostilian as Caesar under Trajan Decius 250-251. Ӕ sestertius. Rome. 251 AD. C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C, bust of Hostilian, head bare, draped, right / PRINC IVVENTVTIS S C, Apollo, half-draped, seated left, holding branch in right hand and resting elbow on lyre. RIC IV 215 (Decius); Banti 3; C 31. Let's see mister Decius and his family - bonus points for the sons. 13 4 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted February 29 · Patron Share Posted February 29 Let's see what I have that's on the uncommon side ... Decius himself, here on a provincial from Tarsus in Cilicia: Herennia Etruscilla, here on an antoninianus from the branch mint in Antioch. Note the dots as officina markings below the portrait, a practice introduced at Antioch by Decius. Hostilian antoninianus. Nothing unusual; just the only Hostilian in my collection. Herennius Etruscus. Again, nothing unusual, just the only Etruscus in my collection. 9 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursus Posted February 29 · Supporter Share Posted February 29 I've got three ants of Trajan Decius. This is the one with the best portrait: Trajan Decius, Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 249–251 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, bust of Trajan Decius, draped and radiate, r. Rev: PANNONIAE, the two Pannoniae standing, holding standards. 23mm, 4.14g. Ref: RIC IV,3 Trajan Decius 21b. Ex Warren Esty; ex PMV Inc., "Late Summer List" 1982, lot 94; ex Dorset County Museum. My antoninian of Herennia Etruscilla is nothing special. I got it from one of the famous FSR bargains lists (you need to be really fast in order to get anything from these): Herennia Etruscilla, Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 249–251 AD, Rome mint. Obv: HER ETRVSCILLA AVG; bust of Herennia Etruscilla, diademed, draped, on crescent, r. Rev: PVDICITIA AVG; Pudicitia, draped, veiled, standing l., drawing veil with r. hand, holding sceptre in l. hand. 22mm, 4.13g. Ref: RIC IV Trajan Decius 58. Ex Frank S. Robinson, bargain list April 2020, lot 178. I bought my Herennius Etruscus for the Mercury reverse. Mercury is not often shown on imperial coins: Herennius Etruscus, Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 251 AD, Rome mint. Obv: bust of Herennius Etruscus, radiate, draped, r. Rev: PIETAS AVGG; Mercury, nude except for cloak on shoulders, standing l., holding purse and caduceus. 20mm, 3.17g. Ref: RIC IV Trajan Decius 142. Ex JB collection; ex AMCC 2, lot 201. 11 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julius Germanicus Posted February 29 · Member Share Posted February 29 The family in Sestertius format: 10 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted February 29 · Member Share Posted February 29 Wonderful coins all! Decius' family is IMO one of the most interesting, numismatically speaking - especially for a span of only 2 years! For Decius, a trio of uncommonly seen denominations AE As AE Dupondius, also probably from the same largesse event And these tiny AEs are usually called the last semisses ever struck, although I've also heard some people argue that they were an attempt to reintroduce the As as an orichalchum coin. Herennia Etruscilla Herennius Etruscus A very uncommon Etruscus AE As Herennius Etruscus as Augustus - a position he held for likely only a month before he fell in battle Hostilian as Caesar And Hostilian as Augustus with Trebonianus Gallus And as an added bonus, Hostilian's Caesar, Volusian 10 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted February 29 · Member Share Posted February 29 Tbh I was kind of expecting to see here one of the Hostilians PROVINCIA DACIA that I have seen from Savoca in their Blue weekly auctions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted February 29 · Member Author Share Posted February 29 I wouldn't refuse one (no secret here) but I only saw one example recently. Pretty modest condition (but good price). I have 2 coins from Provincia Dacia, one from Volusian, one from Philip. But I wouldn't mind at all completing a set of emperors from this mint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted February 29 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 29 Here is a Decius and an Herennius Etruscus and for good measure, Etruscilla. And now I realize I have yet to get a Hostilianus (need to remedy this). I also have a GENIVS EXCERCITVS ILLYRICIANI type of Decius that I have not photographed yet, acknowledging the legions that brought him to power. As @ambr0zie says, Decius may have been a reluctant usurper. But trumpeting the army unit responsible for overthrowing Philip could suggest otherwise. Unless he was afraid of the power of the legions and had to placate them to survive, in his opinion. One thing is for sure, we will probably never know anything more about this snippet of history. 8 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted February 29 · Supporter Share Posted February 29 (edited) So many great coins! Excellent thread @ambr0zie!!! Decius has some very cool coins with excellent portraits. Here are a few of mine: Trajan Decius, AD 249-251. Struck between July-Dec, 250 AD. Silver Antoninianus (4.12 g) minted at Rome, AD 250. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius right. Reverse: Abundantia (Abundance) standing right, emptying her cornucopiae. RIC 10b, RSC 2. Meticulously detailed portrait. Ex El Iberico Collection. Saturnalia 2020 gift from @bcuda Here's a recent purchase that you identified! CILICIA, Tarsus. Trajan Decius. AD 249-251. Æ (34mm, 21.7 g, 6h). Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; П П across field / Fisherman (Dictys or King Polydectes?) standing right, holding long pole from which is suspended a basket over shoulder, facing Perseus standing left, holding head of Medusa and harpa. SNG France 1759-60 (same dies); SNG Levante -. Near VF, brown surfaces. Trajan Decius (249-251). Moesia Superior, Viminacium. Æ (28mm, 14.96g, 12h). Year 11 (244/5). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. R/ Moesia standing facing, head l.; bull and lion at sides. Boric-Breskovic 1090ff; AMNG 124. Green Patina And family Herennia Etruscilla- Roman Empress wife of Trajan Decius - Bronze 25mm (11.31 grams) Roman Colony of Viminacium, MOESIA SUPERIOR Reference: Moushmov 48, SNGCop 164, SGI 4220. -- HER ETRVSCILLA AVG, draped bust right on crescent moon P M S COL VIM, Moesia standing left between bull & lion, AN XII in ex. Former SAVOCA coin Hostilian MOESIA SUPERIOR. Viminacium (251). Ae. Obv: C VAL HOST M QVINTVS CAE. Draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: P M S COL VIM / AN XII. Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands to bull and lion standing at feet to either side. Martin 4.01; AMNG 148ff And Herennius Etruscus Herennius Etruscus MOESIA,SUPERIOR, Viminacium. As Caesar, AD 249-251. Æ 26mm (11.81 g, 5h). Dated CY 12 (AD 250/1). Bare-headed and cuirassed bust right / Moesia standing facing, head left, hands placed above bull on left and lion on right; AN XII (date) in exergue. Jekov & Hristova 61; Mouchmov 50. VF for type, green patina, 250-251. nearly very fine Volusian CILICIA, Tarsus (?). 251-253 AD. Æ 33mm (21.1 g). Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Herakles and Antaeus: Herakles standing facing, head left, leaning right and wrestling Antaeus; he lifts Antaeus up into the air by the waist while Antaeus tries to break his grip. Unlisted in RPC/ACSearch/Wild Winds/ Very Fine. Purchased from NBS auction November 2021 Edited February 29 by Ryro 8 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted February 29 · Member Share Posted February 29 28 minutes ago, Ryro said: Herennius Etruscus MOESIA,SUPERIOR, Viminacium. As Caesar, AD 249-251. Æ 26mm (11.81 g, 5h). Dated CY 12 (AD 250/1). Bare-headed and cuirassed bust right / Moesia standing facing, head left, hands placed above bull on left and lion on right; AN XII (date) in exergue. Jekov & Hristova 61; Mouchmov 50. VF for type, green patina, 250-251. nearly very fine I think that's Aemilian AN XIV 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted February 29 · Supporter Share Posted February 29 Decius is my thing (well, one out of too many at least) The family, in antoniniani In Bronze, I have yet to find decent examples for the two lads, and in Antioch tetradrachms one for Etruscilla (I was the underbidder on one at last weekend Leu auction) Q 5 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor LONGINUS Posted February 29 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 29 (edited) Congratulations on putting together a nice set of coins, @ambr0zie. I also started out to collect one each of the emperors in the denarius / antoninianus denominations. I preferred them in VF/XF condition and needless to say cost became a major obstacle. Consequently, I altered my goal and concentrated on collecting a 50 rulers of Imperial Rome denarius / silver antoninianus collection in VF/XF condition. I’m happy to say that I achieved that goal last year thanks to the inspiration I’ve received from the collectors on this site. Here is my Decius family with a bit of Waltonsesque dark humor. Edited February 29 by LONGINUS 6 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted February 29 · Supporter Share Posted February 29 24 minutes ago, seth77 said: I think that's Aemilian AN XIV Good eye! I have removed Aemilian and put the correct coin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougsmit Posted February 29 · Member Share Posted February 29 As a fan of Alexandria, I regret that I never got a Decius but I do have a Herrenia tetradrachm. My worst Alexandrian tetradrachm may quite possibly also be the one with the best portrait. Before bronze disease ate half of it, it could have been quite a coin and very rare. It is still rare. 8 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singig Posted March 1 · Member Share Posted March 1 Herennius Etruscus, AE28 of Dacia. AMNG 46; Martin 3-63-1. Q H ETR MES DEC CAES, bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust righ, seen from the back / PROVIN-C-IA DACIA, Dacia in long robe and Phrygian cap standing facing, looking left, holding sceptre and a bundle of rice. Eagle with wreath in its beak and a lion at foot left and right. Date AN V below. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted March 1 · Member Author Share Posted March 1 I have seen some great coins in this thread, but the gold medal goes to @Finn235. I see you are actively going for rarities. I don't remember seeing too many Decius semisses (I knew about them) or Volusian as caesar coins, to name just two. I am not sure if you are the member who also has a Diva Maesa antoninianus, as I saw one a long time ago and I had no idea these were produced. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted March 1 · Member Share Posted March 1 5 hours ago, ambr0zie said: I have seen some great coins in this thread, but the gold medal goes to @Finn235. I see you are actively going for rarities. I don't remember seeing too many Decius semisses (I knew about them) or Volusian as caesar coins, to name just two. I am not sure if you are the member who also has a Diva Maesa antoninianus, as I saw one a long time ago and I had no idea these were produced. Thanks! And denarius - the antoninianus was already canceled by the time she died 😉 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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