Heritage World Coin Auctions
CICF Signature Sale 3046 14-15 April 2016
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Trajan Decius (AD 249-251). AR heavy antoninianus (22mm, 8.00 gm, 11h). Rome, AD 250-251. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Decius right / VBERITAS AVG, Uberitas standing left, holding money sack and cornucopia. RIC 28b. RSC 105. An unusually heavy "medallic" specimen, weighing twice the normal weight for an antoninianus of this period and very rare as such. Reverse struck from worn die, otherwise exceptional. NGC AU★ 2/5 - 5/5.Enough antoniniani of Decius exist struck on exceptionally heavy flans, up to twice the normal weight for the series, to suggest that their creation wasn't simply accidental, particularly at a time when precious metals of all kind were at a premium and the general trend was toward lighter coins struck in more debased metal. Upon his accession, Decius implemented a sweeping program of monetary reforms, including entirely new denominations such as the double-sestertius, and so may have thought to have returned the silver coinage to something like its proper theoretical weight. The antoninianus was supposed to be tariffed at two silver denarii, but had never weighed more than a denarius and a half, and by the mid-third century was trending toward the former weight of a Severan-era denarius. Given the more debased alloy used in Decius' time, an antoninianus of 7.5-8 grams would have brought the actual silver content to two Severan denarii. Perhaps a handful of antoniniani were struck on this standard to test the concept, and escaped into circulation. If this was the intent of Decius, the mounting crises of the era and his death in battle at Abritus in July, AD 251 prevented his reforms from being fully implemented or gaining traction.
Estimate: 500-700 USD
Trajan Decius (AD 249-251). AR heavy antoninianus (22mm, 8.00 gm, 11h). Rome, AD 250-251. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Decius right / VBERITAS AVG, Uberitas standing left, holding money sack and cornucopia. RIC 28b. RSC 105. An unusually heavy "medallic" specimen, weighing twice the normal weight for an antoninianus of this period and very rare as such. Reverse struck from worn die, otherwise exceptional. NGC AU★ 2/5 - 5/5.Enough antoniniani of Decius exist struck on exceptionally heavy flans, up to twice the normal weight for the series, to suggest that their creation wasn't simply accidental, particularly at a time when precious metals of all kind were at a premium and the general trend was toward lighter coins struck in more debased metal. Upon his accession, Decius implemented a sweeping program of monetary reforms, including entirely new denominations such as the double-sestertius, and so may have thought to have returned the silver coinage to something like its proper theoretical weight. The antoninianus was supposed to be tariffed at two silver denarii, but had never weighed more than a denarius and a half, and by the mid-third century was trending toward the former weight of a Severan-era denarius. Given the more debased alloy used in Decius' time, an antoninianus of 7.5-8 grams would have brought the actual silver content to two Severan denarii. Perhaps a handful of antoniniani were struck on this standard to test the concept, and escaped into circulation. If this was the intent of Decius, the mounting crises of the era and his death in battle at Abritus in July, AD 251 prevented his reforms from being fully implemented or gaining traction.
Estimate: 500-700 USD