Hostilian as Augustus

Silver - Rome mint

Coins of Hostilian as Augustus are very interesting because they are struck by Trebonianus for the surviving son of his predecessor Decius, while making his own son only Caesar - an occurrence unique in Roman history. Here we see the concord, or agreement within the imperial family. Who knows what happened. A few ancient writers say that Hostilian died of plague, but Zosimus (who really liked Decius but despised Gallus) says that Gallus had the boy emperor murdered.

I have listed coins that are very questionable at the section at the bottom of the page.  Coins that I know to exist  (but don't have a picture) have a wood panel instead.

 

RIC Obverse/Reverse Notes Obverse Photo Reverse Photo

186

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 I have never seen one of these but I have seen three of the unlisted variant below.  This coin may just be a case where Cohen/RIC list the wrong obverse legend and the coin doesn't exist.    
CONCORDIA AVGG   Two clasped right hands

186 var

Unlisted

IMP C MES QVINTVS AVG

 Unlisted short obverse legend.   Rome mint.  Three known:  This coin, one in the British Museum, and a third  in the collection of Dr. F. Óvári
CONCORDIA AVGG   Two clasped right hands

186 var

Unlisted

C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 Unlisted obverse legend

3.79g

From collection of Dr. F. Óvári
CONCORDIA AVGG   Two clasped right hands

187

IMP C MES QVINTVS AVG

 Two examples known - a base metal coin in the Dorchester Hoard and another example in the British Museum.
MARTIPROPVGNATORI Mars advancing r., holding spear and shield

188

 

IMP C MES QVINTVS AVG

 I have seen only two of these (including one in the BM)
PIETAS AVGG.  Mercury stg. l., holding purse and caduceus

188 var

Unlisted

 

IMP CAEC VAL  HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 Although unlisted, this type seems to be more common RIC 188 above - I have seen four of them.

This coin is overstruck on an earlier coin, but there is not enough detail to distinguish it.

Second coin from collection of Dr. F. Óvári (3.57g) is also overstruck.
PIETAS AVGG.  Mercury stg. l., holding purse and caduceus

188 var

Unlisted

C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 Unlisted obverse legend
PIETAS AVGG.  Mercury stg. l., holding purse and caduceus

189

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 A normal reverse for Hostilian as Caesar -quite possibly  a mule.     
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS Apollo std l., holding branch and resting elbow on lyre

189 var

Unlisted

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 Curtis Clay posted one of these on the FORVUM Discussion Board.
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS Apollo std l., holding branch and resting elbow on lyre

190

C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 There is one of these in the Hunter Coin Cabinet in Glasgow and another in the British Museum
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round distyle temple, peacock at l.

191a

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

  
SECVRITAS AVGG   Securitas stg. front, head r., legs crossed, resting r. hand on head and leaning on column.

191b

IMP C MES QVINTVS AVG

 Rare legend
SECVRITAS AVGG   Securitas stg. front, head r., legs crossed, resting r. hand on head and leaning on column.

192

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

  
SECVRITAS AVGG   Securitas stg. front, head l., legs crossed, resting r. hand on head and leaning on column.

unlisted

IMP C MES QVINTVS AVG

 Same obverse die as RIC 191b above
SECVRITAS AVGG   Securitas stg. front, head l., legs crossed, resting r. hand on head and leaning on column.

unlisted

IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG

 Overstruck on denarius of Gordian 3.  A second example is in the collection of a French  friend.
VICTORIA GERMANICA   Victory adv. L. holding wreath

 

Questionable Types

Return to Four Bad Years