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Quintus Herennius Etruscus Messius Decius (ca. 227 – 251 AD) was the elder son of Augustus Trajan Decius. Herennius, along with his younger brother, Hostilian, were both named as Caesar, or heir. This coin, a tetradrachm struck in Antioch, bears the portrait of Herennius as Caesar, with an appropriately matching epithet. 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.
Undisputedly, Herennius supported his father in battle against the Goths, or at least that was the intent. Even though the father-and-son duo mustered a force with superior training and weaponry, they lacked knowledge of their terrain. The Goths successfully ambushed and killed many Romans. The slain included Herennius and his father, who thus became the first Roman Emperors to perish 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, EPENN ETPOY ME KV DEKIOC KECAP, Reverse: Eagle standing right on palm frond, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak, DHMARX EX OVCIAC, SC in exergue, References: McAlee 1152; Prieur 627.