RIC IV Trajan Decius 12B
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC IV Trajan Decius 12B. Denomination: Antoninianus. Authority: Trajan Decius. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Trajan Decius, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right, with the legend IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG. The reverse shows dacia, draped in long robe reaching feet, standing left, holding vertical staff with head of ass in right hand, with the legend DACIA.
Related types with the same reverse, struck at other mints or with different marks or bust details, are consolidated here and listed under varieties: RIC IV Trajan Decius 2B.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 6
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Trajan Decius ruled the Roman Empire from 249 to 251. A prominent politician under Philip the Arab, he was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers following the suppression of a revolt in Moesia. After defeating and killing Philip near Verona in 249, he gained recognition from the Senate. During his rule, Decius sought to reinforce the Roman state and traditional religion, eventually perishing alongside his son in battle against the Goths.
Struck at the Rome mint, this silver antoninianus belonged to a denomination first instituted by Caracalla in 215, thought to represent a double denarius and distinguished by the emperor wearing a radiate crown. Amid ongoing debasement and inflation driven by military demands, such coinage circulated widely across the empire. The obverse presents the ruler under the legend "IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG", whilst the reverse features Dacia holding a staff with the head of an ass, accompanied by the inscription "DACIA".
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Antoninianus
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Trajan Decius
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Trajan Decius, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right
- Reverse
- Dacia, draped in long robe reaching feet, standing left, holding vertical staff with head of ass in right hand
- Obverse legend
- IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG
- Reverse legend
- DACIA
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC IV Trajan Decius 12B
- Denomination and metal
- Antoninianus, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG
- Reverse legend to match
- DACIA
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.4.tr_d.12B
Varieties
RIC IV Trajan Decius 13
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC IV Trajan Decius 2B
Same ruler, denomination, reverse type and reverse legend; differs in mint, mint mark, officina or bust detail. Consolidated into this entry.
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.