Hostilian as Augustus

Rome mint: Bronze

Hostilian's short reign as Augustus is very interesting:  He was promoted to that rank in an unprecidented move by Gallus and his subsequent death is still a mystery, whether it was foul play (as the Gallus-hating Zosimus tells us) or it was the result of the plague (as the Christain Goth Jordanes claims).  The coinage of Hostilain AVG is surprising diverse for such a short period and there is no reliable resource on the topic (though RIC has done an excellent start). RIC lists many very rare bronze types for Hostilian as Augustus, but every time I see a rae middle bronze, it turns oput to be an unlisted type and not a confirmation of what is in RIC!  Almost all of them except the sestertii RIC 224, 225, 226 are only known from a couple of examples (or less).  Some are known only from Cohen and need confirmation.  I have pictured either an example, or a wood panel for those coin I know for certain to exist. I will greatly appreciate help adding to this page!

RIC Obverse/Reverse Notes Obverse Photo Reverse Photo

219

IMP CAE C VAL HOST MES Q AVG

RIC references Cp.R.It.,1893, P.293 - a catalog or reference book that presumably provides evidence of this type.  I'll consider this doubtful but will try to find the reference.    
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS (SC?)

220 / 24

As

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

     
PIETAS AVGVST SC Pietas stg. l., sacrificing out of patera over alter, and holding sceptre.

221a / 42

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

     
PROVIDENTIA AVG SC Providentia stg. l., holding globe and transverse sceptre

221b / -

As

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

RIC quotes an example in Budapest    
PROVIDENTIA AVG SC Providentia stg. l., holding globe and transverse sceptre

unlisted

Dp

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

I have seen one other of these.
PROVIDENTIA AVG SC Providentia stg. l., holding globe and transverse sceptre

222 / 44

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

A very rare type.  Pictured in RIC Vol 4, Plate 12.  According to RIC it's meaning is probably "May the peace of the Augustii [Gallus and Hostilian] be prosperous for Quintus [Hostilian]!"
QVINTO FELIX SC Pax stg l., holding globe and transverse sceptre

223a / 48

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

     
ROMAE AETERNAE SC Roma seated on spols, holding Victory and spear. At feet: shield

223b / 49

As

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

     
ROMAE AETERNAE SC Roma seated on spols, holding Victory and spear. At feet: shield 

223c / 47

IMP CAES C VAL HOSTIL MES QVINT AVG

An unusual obverse legend    
ROMAE AETERNAE SC Roma seated on spols, holding Victory and spear. At feet: shield

unlisted

Dp

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 

One example known to me: Harlan J. Berk Auction 94, Lot 724
ROMAE AETERNAE SC Roma seated on spols, holding Victory and spear. At feet: shield 

224 / 56

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 
SALUS AVGVS SC  Salus stg. l., feeding snake coiled around altar and holding sceptre.

unlisted

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

Reverse of Gallus

This coin was discovered by my friend JA who kindly sent the picture and later traded the coin.  It takes a sharp eye to detect such subtle details.

SALUS AVGG SC  Salus stg. l., feeding snake coiled around altar and holding sceptre.

unlisted

Dp

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

previously unknown, one sold by Meunz Zentrum in 2005
rev. SALVS AVGVS SC  Salus stg. l., snake coiled around altar and holding sceptre 

225 / 60

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

Coins with Hostilian as Augustus are much rarer than as Caesar and they were actually issued by Trebonianus Gallus.  They are always easy to pick out because of the laurelled bust.  SECURITAS is the most common reverse type for both silver and bronze coins for the Rome mint, for coins of Hostilian Augustus.
SECVRITAS AVGG SC  Securitas stg. r., legs crossed, placing r. hand on head and leaning on column.

226 / 71

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

Top coin 15.34 grams
VOTIS DECENNALIBVS SC  in laurel wreath.

Unlisted

As

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

A previously unknown type - an example was sold on eBay in March 2010 (8.2 grams, 23mm).  Curtis Clay pointed out that it uses the same reverse die as some dupondii of Gallus (including mine), asses of Gallus (Hamburger 1925 Niklovits and Lanz IV, 1974, Roman Middle Bronzes), and middle bronzes of Volusian as Caesar (Trau 2878).
 

 

VOTIS DECENNALIBVS SC  in laurel wreath.