The coins of the Roman Emperor Traianus Decius (249-251) show an older, somewhat embittered man. Decius was about fifty when he became emperor, and not many reasons to be happy during his reign. The struggle for power among the Roman classes demoralized the citizenship; inflation impoverished wide parts of the population, countless usurpations and forays of 'barbarians' brought the empire to the edge of collapse.
Regarding the coinage during Decius' reign, his double sestertii are particularly noteworthy. He issued them only temporarily and in little numbers, therefore they are scarce. Like on other Roman double coins, the emperor wears an aureole instead of the usual laurel wreath.