© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Hostilian as Caesar PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS
251 year| Gold | 4 g | 20 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Decius (Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius) (249-251) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 251 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 4 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#282887 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Hostilian, in military attire, standing left, holding wand in right hand and transverse spear in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS
Translation:
Principi Juventutis.
To the prince of the youth.
Comment
Mass varies: 3.81–4.09 g;Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus coin with Hostilian as Caesar is that it was issued during a time of great turmoil in the Roman Empire. Hostilian was appointed as Caesar by his father, Emperor Decius, in 250 AD, but he died shortly after, in 251 AD, during the plague that swept through Rome. Despite his short reign, the coin bearing his image was still minted and circulated, making it a rare and unique piece of Roman numismatic history.
