{"product_id":"hostilian-billon-tetradrachm-roman-egypt-ad-251","title":"Hostilian Billon Tetradrachm — Roman Egypt, AD 251","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHostilian Billon Tetradrachm of Antioch — The Boy Emperor Who Survived His Family but Not the Plague\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOwn a Rare Bronze Coin from the Boy Emperor Who Survived the Battle That Killed His Father and Brother—Then Died of Plague\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA genuine \u003cstrong\u003ebillon tetradrachm of Hostilian\u003c\/strong\u003e, struck at \u003cstrong\u003eAntioch\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003eAD 251\u003c\/strong\u003e, during one of the darkest years in Roman history. After his father, Emperor Trajan Decius, and his brother Herennius Etruscus were both killed in battle, Hostilian briefly became emperor before dying of plague only months later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✓ Guaranteed Authentic\u003cbr\u003e✓ Carefully Sourced and Verified\u003cbr\u003e✓ 30-Day Returns\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📷 You will receive the exact coin pictured.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🦅 Features an eagle standing on a palm branch holding a victory wreath—an enduring symbol of Roman imperial authority\u003cbr\u003e🏛 Struck at the Antioch Mint during the Crisis of the Third Century\u003cbr\u003e🤲 A substantial billon tetradrachm weighing approximately 12.6 grams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eOwn This Piece of History\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy This Coin Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew years in Roman history were as disastrous as \u003cstrong\u003eAD 251\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the \u003cstrong\u003eBattle of Abritus\u003c\/strong\u003e, Emperor \u003cstrong\u003eTrajan Decius\u003c\/strong\u003e and his eldest son and co-emperor, \u003cstrong\u003eHerennius Etruscus\u003c\/strong\u003e, were both killed while fighting invading Gothic forces. It marked the first time a reigning Roman emperor had fallen in battle against a foreign enemy, sending shockwaves throughout the empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHostilian, Decius' younger son, had remained in Rome. Following the catastrophe, he was elevated to the rank of \u003cstrong\u003eAugustus\u003c\/strong\u003e, becoming emperor during one of the most uncertain moments the Roman Empire had ever faced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis reign, however, proved tragically brief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the empire struggled against barbarian invasions, political instability, and economic decline, a devastating epidemic swept through the Roman world. Hostilian died later in \u003cstrong\u003eAD 251\u003c\/strong\u003e, likely a victim of the plague, after ruling for only a matter of months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis authentic billon tetradrachm was struck at \u003cstrong\u003eAntioch\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the Roman Empire's most important eastern cities and the principal mint for provincial tetradrachms in Syria. Unlike the silver denarii circulating in the western empire, Antioch produced large billon tetradrachms that served as the backbone of commerce throughout the eastern provinces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse depicts an \u003cstrong\u003eeagle standing upon a palm branch while holding a victory wreath\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most enduring symbols of Roman imperial authority. The eagle represented Jupiter's divine protection and Rome's military power, while the wreath proclaimed victory and legitimate rule. On Hostilian's coinage, the imagery carries a poignant irony, proclaiming imperial triumph at the very moment his dynasty was collapsing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeighing approximately \u003cstrong\u003e12.6 grams\u003c\/strong\u003e, this substantial provincial coin circulated during one of the defining years of the \u003cstrong\u003eCrisis of the Third Century\u003c\/strong\u003e, a period that nearly brought the Roman Empire to an end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 1,770 years later, it remains a remarkable connection to a young emperor whose reign lasted only months but whose coinage preserves one of the most dramatic chapters in Roman history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of Roman provincial coinage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrisis of the Third Century enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of Antioch mint coinage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStudents of Roman military history\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone looking for a rare and historically significant ancient coin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eWhat You'll Receive\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe exact Hostilian billon tetradrachm pictured\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCivilization:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Empire\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEmperor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hostilian (AD 251)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCentury:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3rd Century AD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMint:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antioch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Billon Tetradrachm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 12.6 grams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuaranteed authentic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eContinue the Story\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Crisis of the Third Century produced some of Rome's most fascinating rulers and coinage. Each coin tells the story of an empire struggling to survive against invasion, plague, and political upheaval.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore our other Roman coins to discover the emperors, battles, and turning points that shaped the ancient world.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eBuy with Confidence\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuaranteed authentic ancient coin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully sourced and verified\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e30-day return policy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecure shipping from the U.S.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eNew to Ancient Coins?\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart your journey here:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ekinzercoins.com\/collections\/im-new-to-ancient-coins\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kinzer Coins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50904364319026,"sku":"SQ8053447","price":325.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0970\/6202\/7570\/files\/roman-provincial-billon-tetradrachm-large-silver-alloy-coin-of-emperor-hostilian-about-1770-years-ago-7541203.webp?v=1771883597","url":"https:\/\/kinzercoins.com\/products\/hostilian-billon-tetradrachm-roman-egypt-ad-251","provider":"Kinzer Coins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}