EMPEROR RIDING HORSE SILVER ROMAN COIN PENDANT IN 14KY GOLD

249 - 251 A.D.

Equestrian jewelry takes on a new meaning with this 14K gold pendant featuring a genuine ancient Roman coin.  This beautiful antiquity from the days of the Roman Empire is an excellent example of EQUESTRIAN ART in the ancient period.  This is a large silver antoninianus coin of the emperor Trajan Decius and was minted between 249 and 251 A.D..  It has been mounted with the reverse side showing outward and depicts an extremely crisp and well-preserved image of Trajan Decius riding on his horse in full battle dress.  The artwork is very well-centered and the large flan of the coin makes for an uncluttered image of superb presentation.  The setting resembles a horse's harness and is a high-polished 14 karat yellow gold pendant which contrasts well with the bright silver of the ancient coin.  Bail is large enough for this to be used as a drop on a large chain such as an Omega necklace.

In July, 249 A.D., Decius was proclaimed emperor by his legions after killing self-proclaimed emperor Marinus and thwarting a rebellion by legions under Marinus on the Danube River.  Decius was popular with the soldiers because of this victory and such momentum caused him to go on to defeat the current Roman emperor Philip I and his son Philip II, in battle near Verona in Italy.  Both Philip and his son were killed.  Decius was quickly accepted as emperor after his predecessor's death.  He returned to Rome and initiated several building projects.  This is also when he adopted the surname "Trajan" in memory of the much revered emperor who had expanded Rome to its largest size ever.  

During the reign of Decius, numerous barbarian invasions threatened the Roman empire.  Decius was a highly capable military commander and swiftly defeated the Goths in battle.  In one battle in 250 A.D., Decius' army camp had been caught off-guard and surprised in an attack by the Gothic king Cniva and his army.  The tables were turned by Roman military prowess and Decius' army surrounded the Goths.  The Goths called for a truce to leave the battle and retreat in peace but Decius refused.  His entire Roman force was then lured by the Goths into a swamp for final battle but the heavy armor and equipment of the Romans caused them to sink in the mud and become immobilized.  The lightly-armored Gothic army, experienced in the swampy environment, moved in and hacked the Roman soldiers to pieces.  Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus were killed.

The most notorious accomplishment Decius was known for was the intense persecution of the Christians during his rule.  Decius thought that such new religions were responsible for the decay of Roman society and the only solution was a revival of the state religion and the worship of the old gods.  Pope Fabian and Saint Cyprian in Africa (along with and many others) became martyrs during the rule of Trajan Decius.

Tired of the same boring designs in horse jewelry?  This piece is both, a superb and highly unique representation of an equestrian theme wearable as jewelry.  

Overall dimensions are very sizable at 39 mm high by 29 mm wide.

CPR042     SOLD     COMES WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY / HISTORY SHEET

*** shown with optional CHAIN F, not included

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