So the so-called treasure of Decebalus on the river Stray, discovered in the 16th century, would most likely be Burebista. Its discovery also caused a wave of forgeries during the Transylvanian Renaissance. Among them are known coins that represent the face of the so-called Roman emperor who took over power in Dacia, Sponsianus.

Emanuel Petak, president of the Numismatic AssociationPhoto: Hotnews

Although the name of Sponsianus is mentioned in several ancient sources, he was most likely a meteoric figure whose deeds we know nothing more about. The name of the usurper who seized power in the province of Moesia is different, he even became emperor of Rome for a short time, and it was Gaius Trajan Decius.

Learn more about all these topics, as well as why the Sponsian face coins are fakes, in an interview with Emanuel Petak, President of the Romanian Numismatic Association and Curator of the Numismatic Collection of the Romanian Academy.

What to watch in the video interview:

  • The largest gold hoard ever discovered in Romania, also called Decebalov, actually belonged to Burebista.
  • What we know today about Sponsianus, the supposed Roman emperor from the province of Dacia, and why the name of the usurper who succeeded to the throne of Rome is completely different Reasons why coins with the face of Sponsianus are considered a Renaissance forgery
  • Coin counterfeiting was an almost industrial-scale practice in Wallachia in the 16th and 17th centuries