AQUILIFER |Eagle| bearer. It was he, as the word imports, who carried the eagle, in the midst of the hastai, in each legion. The aquiliferi were different from those who were called signiferi, and who bore the other standards of the Roman army. See Signa Militaria.
Among other reverses, which, with the legends of Adlocutio, Profectio, Imperator, etc, frequently appear on coins of the imperial series, chiefly in large brass. There is one of Trajan 's described by Captain Smyth, p. 89, where "the Emperor, wearing a lorica (or breast plate) is seated on an X shaped curule chair, upon a hogh suggestum. He is addressing his army, which is represented by an officer, three aquiliferi, an infantry soldier, and one of the calvary - some of whom hold up their |hands| in applause. - The coin was struck AD 115."