Tantalus - the ancient coin registry

Coin Information: Tantalus S/N 39

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Coin type:Roman Imperial
Entered by:rasiel   (Seller rating: 5.0 out of 5, based on 16 buyer responses)
Added on: Aug 23, 2005
Ruler: Trajan Decius (Augustus)
Coin: AR Antoninianus
IMPCMQTRAIANVSDECIVSAVG - Radiate, cuirassed bust right.
ABVNDANTIAAVG - Abundantia standing right, pouring out cornucopia.
Mint:Rome (249-251)
Wt./Size/Axis:4.13g / 22mm / 200
References:
  • ERIC II 56
  • RIC 10b
  • C 2
Acquisition/Sale:Samuel E. Cox eBay 2/16/11
For Sale: This coin is for sale. ($175.00)
About this seller
Notes:Dec 29, 11 - For Christians who know their Roman roots Trajan Decius stands out as a sort of bogeyman. He was the first since Nero who went out chasing members of this up-and-coming sect. They were by then too strong to wipe out so he contented himself with harassing their cardinals and so on by making them publicly swear an oath of allegiance to the emperor, considered a living god, knowing full well that that severely conflicted with their teachings.

He very probably was guilty of an oppressive campaign of some sort, likely for political rather than faith-based reasons, the extent of which is unknown because historical records are slight for this period and relying solely on the contemporary Christian literature poses its own problems.

He stuck around only for a couple of years and asides from his persecution record seems to have been an otherwise decent administrator and a good general. Not good enough, however, to save his ass when it came time to beating back a horde of barbarians ransacking the Balkan provinces. It seems he let his passion get the better of him and he rode into a swamp with his whole army. And you know how hard it is to swing your sword when you're knee-deep in mud.

He is the first emperor to die in battle at the hands of a foreign aggressor.

Despite only being in charge for a couple of years his extant coins are numerous even in mint state condition. Like this one.

Part of my Roman Emperors collection

Contact rasiel about this coin


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