![Antoninianus - Probus (Cuirassed, left; CONSERVA[T] AVG; Sol) (278) front](/storage/images/Antoninianus-Probus-Cuirassed-left-CONSERVAT-AVG-Sol_293459_1.webp)
![Antoninianus - Probus (Cuirassed, left; CONSERVA[T] AVG; Sol) (278) back](/storage/images/Antoninianus-Probus-Cuirassed-left-CONSERVAT-AVG-Sol_293459_2.webp)
Antoninianus - Probus Cuirassed, left; CONSERVA[T] AVG; Sol
278 year| Silver | 4.14 g | 24.01 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 278 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 4.14 g |
| Diameter | 24.01 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#293459 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Sol, radiate, standing front, head left, raising right hand and holding globe in left hand.
Mintmark and officina exergue.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
CONSERVA AVG or
CONSERVAT AVG
Unabridged legend: Conservatori Augusti.
Translation: Protector of the emperor.
Comment
RIC 349 was minted by the 3rd officina (-/-//TXXT) of the Ticinum mint. The original RIC text mentions 5 different variations/different bust types (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net), and there are also two variants known:
- radiate, draped, right (A bust, Numista #292697);
- radiate, cuirassed, right (B bust, Numista #293457);
- radiate, wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (H2 bust, Numista #293458);
- radiate, cuirassed, left (B1 bust, this coin);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear (F5 bust, Numista #393325);
- [var] radiate, helmeted, draped and cuirassed, right, holding spear in right hand, and shield in left (D7 bust, example: probuscoins.fr #1607);
- [var] radiate, draped and cuirassed, right, holding spear (F2 bust, example: probuscoins.fr #2271).
According to Pink, RIC 349 (with its obverse legend Nr. 5) is part of the 4th emission, which was in the year 278 (Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 41).
Some examples of RIC 349 coins have dots in the obverse legend. Usually as such: IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG; but sometimes also as such: IMP • C • PROBVS • P • F • AVG. These dots could also be identified as a variant to the RIC text that does not mention dots. According to Estiot, the obverse legend ‘IMP C PROBVS P F AVG’ is often punctuated. See Sylviane Estiot, Une campagne germanique de l’empereur Probus: l’atelier de Ticinum en 277-278, Droz 2006, p. 212, p. 232 and p. 241.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a cuirassed bust of the emperor Probus on the obverse (front side), which was a common depiction of Roman emperors during this time period. The cuirass was a type of armor worn by Roman soldiers, and its inclusion on the coin may have been meant to emphasize the emperor's military prowess or association with the military. Additionally, the reverse (back side) of the coin features a depiction of the sun god Sol, which was a common motif on Roman coins during the 3rd century AD, and may have been meant to symbolize the emperor's connection to the divine or his role as a bringer of light and prosperity to the empire.
![Antoninianus - Probus Imperial mantle, left; CONSERVA[T] AVG; Sol front](/no-image-1.svg)
![Antoninianus - Probus Imperial mantle, left; CONSERVA[T] AVG; Sol back](/no-image-2.svg)