Antoninianus - Probus (Cuirassed, left, spear and shield, from behind; CONCOR MIL[I]; Concordia) (276-277) front Antoninianus - Probus (Cuirassed, left, spear and shield, from behind; CONCOR MIL[I]; Concordia) (276-277) back
Antoninianus - Probus (Cuirassed, left, spear and shield, from behind; CONCOR MIL[I]; Concordia) (276-277) photo
© PrimeME

Antoninianus - Probus Cuirassed, left, spear and shield, from behind; CONCOR MIL[I]; Concordia

 
Silver 3.9 g 22 mm
Description
Issuer
Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD)
Emperor
Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
276-277
Value
Antoninianus (1)
Currency
Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301)
Composition
Silver
Weight
3.9 g
Diameter
22 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Orientation
Variable alignment ↺
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#293432
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Probus, standing right, clasping hands with Concordia, standing left.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
CONCOR MIL or CONCORD MILI
In exergue: mark for 1st officina (P), followed by value mark (XX) and the mint mark for Ticinum (T)

Unabridged legend: Concordia Militum.

Translation: Harmony with the soldiers.

Comment

RIC 325 was minted by the 1st officina (exergue/officina mark: PXXT) of the Ticinum mint (PXXT). The XX stands for 20 parts alloy (instead of the more usual XXI for a copper to silver ratio of 20:1). 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):

  1. Radiate, draped, right (A bust, no example on probuscoins, Numista #292673);
  2. Radiate, draped and cuirassed, right (A2 bust, example probuscoins #1466, Numista #293429);
  3. Radiate, cuirassed, right (B bust, example probuscoins #1877, Numista #293430);
  4. Wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (bust H2, example probuscoins #992, Numista #293431);
  5. Radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand, from behind (F8 bust, example probuscoins #4700, Numista #293432).

According to Pink, RIC 325 - with its obverse lettering nr. 1 ('IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG') combined with 'CONCORD MIL(I)' - is part of the 2nd emission (the year 276) and 3rd emission (277) (Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 60-61). According to Pink, the 1st officina used 'CONCORD MIL(I)', in the 3rd emission exclusively with the H2 bust (see Pink: "AZ" for "Adlerzepter" or 'eagle sceptre'). Both probuscoins.fr as probvs.net attribute RIC 325 only to the 3rd emission.

Interesting fact

The Antoninianus - Probus coin was part of a series of coins issued during the reign of Emperor Probus (276-282 AD) to promote the ideals of military concordance and harmony among the Roman people. The coin's design, which features a cuirassed figure of the emperor holding a spear and shield, symbolizes the strength and protection offered by the Roman military. The inclusion of the goddess Concordia on the coin's reverse side further reinforces this message of unity and harmony.