Heritage World Coin Auctions
Dallas Signature Sale 3088 5-6 Nov 2020
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Ancients
Hostilian, as Augustus (AD 251). AR antoninianus (21mm, 3.07 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF★ 3/5 - 4/5, Overstruck. Rome. IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hostilian to right, seen from behind / PIETAS AVGG, Pietas standing facing, head left, pileus in right hand, caduceus in left. RIC IV.III (Trajan Decius) -.
This specimen is a wonderful testament to how things at the ancient mints could go wrong in several ways. The reverse type is not proper to Hostilian, but is for Herennius Etruscus as Caesar (RIC IV.III 142b) during the same period. Also, instead of using a new flan, someone decided to use a denarius of Elagabalus (RIC IV.II 131, struck in AD 221-222). The host coin was most certainly not chosen because it was worn out, as the reverse legend SACERD DEI SOLIS ELAGAB is plainly visible, along with the star above the altar at the right. The horned portrait of Elagabalus is also still partly visible on the obverse. This is a thoroughly interesting coin!
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-hostilian-as-augustus-ad-251-ar-antoninianus-21mm-307-gm-5h-ngc-choice-xfand-9733-3-5-4-5-overs/a/3088-34154.s?type=CoinArchives3088
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-1500 USD
Hostilian, as Augustus (AD 251). AR antoninianus (21mm, 3.07 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF★ 3/5 - 4/5, Overstruck. Rome. IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hostilian to right, seen from behind / PIETAS AVGG, Pietas standing facing, head left, pileus in right hand, caduceus in left. RIC IV.III (Trajan Decius) -.
This specimen is a wonderful testament to how things at the ancient mints could go wrong in several ways. The reverse type is not proper to Hostilian, but is for Herennius Etruscus as Caesar (RIC IV.III 142b) during the same period. Also, instead of using a new flan, someone decided to use a denarius of Elagabalus (RIC IV.II 131, struck in AD 221-222). The host coin was most certainly not chosen because it was worn out, as the reverse legend SACERD DEI SOLIS ELAGAB is plainly visible, along with the star above the altar at the right. The horned portrait of Elagabalus is also still partly visible on the obverse. This is a thoroughly interesting coin!
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-hostilian-as-augustus-ad-251-ar-antoninianus-21mm-307-gm-5h-ngc-choice-xfand-9733-3-5-4-5-overs/a/3088-34154.s?type=CoinArchives3088
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-1500 USD