A Nice Antoninianus of Hostilian.

[GERMANICVS]

I bought this antoninianus at the Frankfurt Numismata show about 6 years ago. I normally focus on 1st and 2nd century bronzes and denarii, but also collect modern coins, Spanish colonies and U.S, and that is what i was looking for at the show.

I came upon a seller who normally deals with spanish and colonial coins hoping to find something of interest. That time, however, he also had a tray full of late roman coins, mainly denarii and mixed in a few antoninianii. All were priced between 50 and 70 euros.

This antoninianus immediately caught my attention, but only due to its condition. Yeah, I know ....

Anyway, I  showed it to a friend of much better versed that I am. He rushed to the dealer's table to see if there was anything else left. Unfortunately, not - Just dumb luck on my part I guess. 

[Roman Collector]

You scored a lovely coin for an excellent price! Coingratulations! I have only one coin of Hostilian.

 Hostilian as Caesar, AD 250-251.
Roman AR antoninianus, 4.32 g, 20.5 mm, 5 h.
Rome mint, 5th officina. 5th emission, early AD 251.
Obv: C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind.
Rev: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Hostilian standing slightly left, holding signum and reversed spear.
RIC 181d; RSC 34; RCV 9561; Hunter 4.

[Kali]

I'd love to have one in that condition for that price. Nice score.

Hostilian (250 - 251 A.D.)

AR Antoninianus
O: C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C Bust radiate, draped right.
R: PRINCIPI IVV - ENTVTIS Hostilian standing l. holding standard and spear.
Rome Mint
4.16g
22mm
RIC-181d (S), C-34 (4 Fr.)

Ex. Jonathan Kern, ANA Show, 19 March 1998.
Ex. Harlan J Berk Buy or Bid Sale, #213, Lot 312

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Whoa, I almost missed this thread, a testament to how lively this forum can be.  Sometimes threads sink to the bottom remarkably quickly.

That was quite a deal at the coin show! Very well done!

I have perhaps three Hostilians, but only one is photographed.  IIRC, my original piece is an unusually large sestertius.  The photographed one is noteworthy only for being nearly uncleaned, a rarity amongst sestertii.

HOSTILIAN, as Caesar, AE sestertius. C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C, bare headed, draped bust right. Reverse - PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Hostilian standing left with standard & spear. RIC 216a, Cohen 35. 27mm, 14.6g.

[Octavius]

That is truly a great deal for a Hostilian in such good condition. Congratulations!

[rasiel]

One of my aurei :- )

Rasiel

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

The Aureus was a mic drop Very nice!

 

[GERMANICVS]

Thank you all for your comments, and for posting your coins of Hostilianus.

 

 

[El Cazador]

On 11/10/2024 at 7:29 AM, GERMANICVS said:

I bought this antoninianus at the Frankfurt Numismata show about 6 years ago. I normally focus on 1st and 2nd century bronzes and denarii, but also collect modern coins, Spanish colonies and U.S, and that is what i was looking for at the show.

I came upon a seller who normally deals with spanish and colonial coins hoping to find something of interest. That time, however, he also had a tray full of late roman coins, mainly denarii and mixed in a few antoninianii. All were priced between 50 and 70 euros.

This antoninianus immediately caught my attention, but only due to its condition. Yeah, I know ....

Anyway, I  showed it to a friend of much better versed that I am. He rushed to the dealer's table to see if there was anything else left. Unfortunately, not - Just dumb luck on my part I guess. 

Superb, and wonderful price, easily $300-400 coin now

[-monolith-]

I've only owned one Hostilian but I wasn't happen with the quality of it so I sold it.