Trajan Decius, 249-251. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 4.21 g, 1 h), Rome, 249. IMP TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius to right, seen from behind. Rev. PANNONIAE Pannonia, veiled and draped, standing front, head to right, raising her right hand and holding aquila in her left. Biaggi 1399 = Calicó 3298 (same reverse die). Cohen -. RIC -. Of the highest rarity, the second known example and with a very interesting reverse. Somewhat rough in the fields, otherwise, good very fine.
This interesting coin is only the second known aureus of Decius with the single Pannonia-reverse, which is otherwise attested just in silver (RIC 5). It is worth noting that this reverse die clearly shows Pannonia holding an aquila, a legionary eagle, whereas the corresponding antoniniani as well as the two-Pannoniae-reverses in both gold and silver usually show vexilla or signa (see below, lots 472-3)