The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch MS 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

Quintus Herennius Etruscus Messius Decius (ca. 227 – 251 AD) was the elder son of Augustus Trajan Decius. Herennius, along with his younger brother, Hostillian, were both named as Caesar, or heir. This coin, a tetradrachm struck in Antioch, bears the portrait of Herennius as Caesar (and has an epithet to match). The bust on the coin’s obverse is draped, but bareheaded, commensurate with the status of Caesar (as opposed to laureate, appropriate for an Augustus). The reverse, typical for the mint’s style, is an eagle on a palm frond, holding a wreath aloft in its beak. This coin was minted between 249 and very early 251 AD, because after that Herennius was promoted to co-Augustus, deemed ready to help his father rule the Roman Empire. Indeed, Decius desperately needed the help. The Persians threatened territories in the east, while the Goths raided along the northern Danube. As if things couldn’t get any worse, a horrible plague spread through Rome. In an attempt to find a scapegoat, Decius turned his attention to improving Roman piety and returning to traditional values. This led to renewed maltreatment of Christians, although there is no evidence to support Herennius’ involvement in any of the persecutions. Instead, Herennius supported his father in battle, and joined him in retaliating against the Goths. However, the latter, armed with inferior weapons but superior knowledge of the terrain, successfully ambushed and killed many Romans, including the co-Augusti. In this manner, Herennius and his father became the first Roman Emperors to die in battle against a foreign enemy. Coin Details: SYRIA, Antioch, Herennius Etruscus, As Caesar, AD 249-251, Billon Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.88 g, 12h), Struck under Trajan Decius, NGC Grade: Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Bareheaded and draped bust right, Reverse: Eagle standing right on palm frond, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak, References: McAlee 1152; Prieur 627.

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