One of my Favorite Coins - Hostilian Tetradrachm - Antioch

I don't know why, but I really like this coin. Had it for years, and found it again at the bottom of my drawer recently. Rediscovering the beauty of it makes me happy.

Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch. Hostilian 251AD, Bi-Tetradrachm.

Eagle with wreath in beak.

I've read that it's pretty rare, but I'm not really certain. I think it is McAlee 1162 / Prieur 653. I haven't seen it in the RPC though. Thanks for looking!

 

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Very nice Eagle reverse.

 

Wow, nice, even I don't have him in Tet form.

Just an ant. for me.


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

 

No Hostilian yet. I lost on one from CNG - an Alexandrian tetradrachm a couple of weeks back.

 

Wh-whaaat???

You do not have a TET???

But, you are the TET-Master!

 

How much did that one go for? Is it true Antioch tets are harder to get than Egyptian?

 

That ant is still pretty sweet though!

 

Nice one,

I don't have any Hostilian tet, but his brother Herennius Etruscus (from @Severus Alexander's AMCC2 auction)



Q

 

I had the leading bid for four days at $150. It was an original Dattari plate coin. Lost it in the last ten seconds, went for $220 I think. I would guess that the Alexandrian examples are more common.

 

Ah, that sounds just like eBay to me. It's always those last 10 seconds that makes or breaks it

 

Xodus, McAlee lists your coin type as V Rare, & also states "Hostilian's Antiochene provincial coins are the rarest of the 3rd century". High grade Tets of Hostilian are very pricey. The one pictured below recently auctioned at Heritage for $1,140.00 !

 

@Xodus, Here is a kid that was killed, that succeeded your kid that was killed. Both in their positions cuz of Daddy...

LOL, I dunno... After Augustus, the Roman Government was such a poop-shoot, with very few good'uns at the Helm.


Volusian (251 - 253 A.D.)
AR Tetradrachm
O: AVTOK K GAFINGALOUENDOUOLOUCCIANOC CEB, Radiate and draped bust right; • below bust.
R: DHMARX EXOYCIAC, Eagle standing facing, head right, holding wreath in beak; A between legs.
Antioch Mint
27mm
12.11g
McAlee 1188a; Prieur 694
Ex: @Mat

 

Holy cannoli. Maybe I should sent this to them as well??

Now I'm torn because it's one of my favorites. Damn the economy lol!

 

Those are some great looking Eagles! My favorite is @Cucumbor with close runner-ups of @Xodus, @Alegandron and @Al Kowsky (mainly because his is entombed in plastic...) FFIVN and I don't have any Hostilians in our collection yet but I did manage to win a bid on a cheap Elagabalus tet late Friday night. Funnily enough, the coin is about 10 miles down the road but is not scheduled to arrive in the mail for another 5ish days.

 

HERENNIUS ETRUSCUS, Tetradrachm
Antioch, 250-251
11,01 g - 26 mm
Prieur 631
ЄPЄNNЄ TPOY MЄ KY ΔЄKIOC KЄCAP, Bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust right, two pellets below bust.
ΔЄMAPX ЄΞOYCIAC, Eagle standing right on palm, wings open, wreath in beak; SC in exergue

 

Alwin, Your Tet of Herennius Etruscus is stunning ! They don't come any better than that . It's struck from finely engraved dies that are fresh, perfectly centered, beautifully toned, & has great eye appeal . A one in a million coin....

 

Xodus, I think you would be wise sitting on your coin instead of trying to turn it over quickly . It's a good example of a rare coin that has complete inscriptions & an excellent reverse . Why not try & get the other 3 family members to go with it ?

 

Al Kowsky, Thanks !

 

View attachment 1108934 I managed to score a nice example of the mother this year The coin has an unusually fine portrait, is in mint state, & is listed as Rare by McAlee. I paid a hefty price for the coin but I couldn't resist .

 

I certainly wouldn't have resisted either!