The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

For many Roman Empresses, particularly those of the 3rd century AD, very little of their life and history was ever recorded. Fortunately, at least their coins survived, from which some information can be gleaned. Such is the case of Herennia Etruscilla, wife of Trajan Decius. The date and place of her birth are not known for certain. It is believed that the couple married no later than 230 AD, therefore, Herennia was born in early 3rd century AD. Given her name, it is postulated that she was born of Etruscan lineage. In 249 AD, Decius was named as Augustus, and shortly afterwards, Herennia as Augusta. This coin, a double denarius, was struck in Rome during her reign, sometime in early 251 AD. On the obverse, Herennia’s draped bust perches atop a crescent. The latter represents the moon, and complements the radiate sun crown worn by the Augustus on his coinage. The bust also dons a stephane, a type of decorative wreath worn on the head. On the verso stands Fecunditas, the Roman goddess of fertility, holding a cornucopia in one hand and extending the other above a child, who looks up towards her with outstretched arms. Commensurate with the coin’s imagery, Herennia bore Decius two sons. The eldest, Herennius Etruscus, was named co-Augustus in early 251 AD. He campaigned with his father against the Goths that were raiding the Moesian and Dacian provinces. Meanwhile, Herennia stayed in Rome with her younger son, Hostilian, and they looked after Rome's routine governance. Tragically, in mid 251 AD, both co-Augusti died in battle. In parallel, two new Augusti were declared. In Rome, the Senate confirmed Hostilian, while at the front, the troops promoted Trebionus Gallus. To avoid civil war, the two agreed to share the throne as co-Augusti. So respected was Herennia that she retained the title of Augusta, and Gallus refrained from promoting his own wife, Baebiana, to the role. Later the same year, Hostilian fell ill and died from disease that was ravaging the Empire. Herennia survived the epidemic, and retained the role of Augusta (despite any familial ties to Gallus). We know this because coins were still struck with her image and title as Augusta until 253 AD, corresponding to the end of Gallus’ reign. Here is where the trail of information regarding Herennia abruptly comes to an end, a poignant reminder of the role ancient coins serve as an historical record. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Herennia Etruscilla, 249-251 AD, AR Antoninianus, Rome mint, 6th officina, 5th emission of Trajan Decius, early AD 251, NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent, HER ETRVSCILLA AVG, Reverse: Fecunditas standing left, holding cornucopia and extending hand over child standing right with hands raised, FECVNDITAS AVG, References: RIC IV 55b (Trajan Decius); RSC 8.

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