Hostilianus - Antoninian, Mars Propug.

This is a coin I would like to get your opinions on.
It is a Hostilianus Ant. in what I would consider to be very good (exceptional?) condition.
Picked this up at a coin show about 3/4 years ago, and every time I look at it, like yesterday, I go, Wow!

I'm intrigued by the exceptional condition of this coin.
I do not 'grade' my romans. I just rank them: Wow!, very nice, nice, Hmmm...,and Ugh!
5 'grades'.

Is this a Wow! coin as it comes to Hostilian Antoninianii?
The obverse legend is weakly struck and a bit difficult to read, but the rest seems to me to be 'as-struck' or very near to it. None of my other roman silver come close.

It even has mint bloom which my awful pics just cannot capture.

What do you guys think?

This is the correct attribution (I think):

Hostilian. As Caesar, AD 250-251. AR Antoninianus. Rome mint. AD 251.
Obv: Radiate and draped bust right
Rev: Mars advancing right, holding spear and shield. RIC IV 176a.

 

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I'd certainly give it a wow! Very nice coin!!

 

I'm probably not qualified to comment since I don't have a coin of Hostilian and don't grade my coins either, but since you asked... I'd say it's a Wow! too. It does look like rolled off the mint and was then quickly hoarded. The obverse die has a little bit of wear, but I think the reverse is exceptional. For this period there are a lot of coins struck from awfully worn reverse dies in uninspired style to boot. Not the case for your coin!

I think I feel much the same way you do about your coin as I do about my common Gordian III ant below.

 

Guys, thanks.
zumbly, that Antoninian of yours is a Wow! coin for me too.

 

Fantastic coin, I love the reverse so much detail on Mars costume, obverse great as well but is there are die break or some flaw around his eye or is it just the photo?

 

Exceptional coin, love Hercules reverse great detail.

 

It is a die flaw. Or, the celator messed up a bit. But it is not damage.

 

I would give it two WOWs.

 

A fantastic quality coin. A lovely reverse.

 

I agree-- it's a WOW coin.

 

That's as close to about 'as stuck' as you can get!! It's definitely a WOW coin!!

 

A "WOW" from me as well.

 

The problem with any grading system in my mind is the need to reserve space for one just a bit better if it should show up. This may very well be the best Hostilian I have seen but the eye of the portrait is not just quite right so we might have to drop to aboutWow which rather makes me think of the standard grading system we are trying to avoid. That's why we fall back on the age old question, "Would I welcome it in my collection?" In this case, the answer is obviously, "Of course!" Some Coin!

 

You have a WOW and I have a "ugh" or "Oh gosh, why???".

Very nice, sure wish mine was that nice but for what I paid for mine, I'm content.


Hostilian (250 - 251 A.D.)
AR Antoninianus
O: C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C, radiate & draped bust right.
R: MARTI PROPVGNATORI, Mars advancing right holding spear & shield.
Rome Mint
2.24g
21mm
RIC IV 177b; RSC 15.

 

Wow-wow-wow!! => Eduard, congrats on that OP-stunner!!

 

Ummm, since we're doin' a little posing-down, here is my favourite antoninianii

Caracalla

 

It is about as nice as they come in my opinion! Congratulations! I just bought a Herennius Etruscus with an equally fine portrait but the reverse doesn´t quite match that of your coin.

 

In in awesome condition.

 

That is a gorgeous Ant, Eduard! Great Mars reverse... well done.

Mine is a bit more humble...


RI Hostilian 251 CE AE 27 Viminnacium Moesia Bull-Lion

 

Thanks for all your comments and for posting your Antoninianii.

Very interesting portrait on you coin, mat!