Trajan Decius (AD 249–251) Roman Empire AR Double-Denarius NGC VF

Trajan Decius — Emperor at the Battle of Abritus

This silver double-denarius represents Trajan Decius, a soldier-emperor whose reign ended in a disastrous Gothic war.

Coin Details

• Ruler: Trajan Decius
• Reign and issue period: AD 249–251
• Empire/region: Roman Empire
• Denomination: Double-denarius (antoninianus)
• Metal: AR (silver)
• NGC grade: VF — Very Fine
• Sheldon scale equivalent: 20–25
• Quantity supplied: One encapsulated coin

Trajan Decius — Restoration, Persecution and Frontier War

Decius rose through military and administrative service before troops proclaimed him emperor in AD 249. His government emphasized traditional Roman religion and required inhabitants of the empire to perform sacrifice, a policy that produced the first empire-wide persecution of Christians.

Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus campaigned against Gothic forces in the Balkans. Both were killed at the Battle of Abritus in AD 251, making Decius the first Roman emperor to die in battle against a foreign enemy.

What This Coin Tells Us

The radiate antoninianus, often called a double-denarius, was an important silver denomination of the third century. Its large field carried portraits and reverse messages suited to the urgent political communication of military emperors.

Decius’ coinage invoked traditional deities, military success and the memory of earlier rulers. These issues reveal how his government used the past to argue for religious and political restoration.

What You Will Receive

You will receive one silver double-denarius of Trajan Decius in an NGC Ancients holder with the stated grade. A specific mint, reverse design, inscription, weight or diameter is not promised unless expressly stated above.

Stock-photo notice: The photographs are representative of the product offering. The coin supplied may differ from the pictured example in portrait style, reverse design, inscriptions, centering, toning, surface appearance and other individual characteristics while remaining within the stated coin type and any expressly stated grade.