Antoninianus - Probus Cuirassed, left, spear and shield; VIRTVS PROBI AVG; Mars
| Silver | 4.2 g | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 277-280 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 4.2 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#293866 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Mars, helmeted, walking right, holding spear in right hand and trophy in left hand; sometimes at his feet, one or two captives.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
VIRTVS PROBI AVG
In exergue XXI followed by officina mark or with officina mark in right field
Unabridged legend: Virtus Probi Augusti.
Translation: Courage of emperor (Augustus) Probus.
Comment
RIC 816 was minted by the 1st to 6th officina of the Siscia mint. The original RIC text mentions multiple variations/different bust types, listed below (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net):
- Helmeted, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (bust E1, Alföldi (*) 096.152-165 example probuscoins #2245, Numista #293172);
- Helmeted, radiate, cuirassed or draped, left, from behind, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (bust E2 (**), Alföldi 096.169-170, example probuscoins #361, Numista #413616);
- Radiate, wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (bust H2, Alföldi 096.123-133, example probuscoins #3006, Numista #293865);
- Radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (bust F1, Alföldi 096.146-151, example probuscoins #3011, Numista #293866);
- [var] Radiate, cuirassed or draped, left, from behind, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (bust F8 (**), Alföldi 096.166-168, example probuscoins #2588, Numista #413617);
- [var] Radiate, cuirassed, left, from behind, holding shield in left hand (bust F8 var, Alföldi -, example probuscoins #1463, not in Numista);
- [var] Radiate, cuirassed, left, with spear (bust F5, Alföldi 096.138-145, example probuscoins #117, not in Numista);
- [var] Radiate, cuirassed, left (bust B1, Alföldi 096.133a-137, example probuscoins -, not in Numista).
(*) Andreas Alföldi, Vorarbeiten zu einem Corpus der in Siscia geprägten römischen Kaisermünzen. Heft V. Verzeichnis der Antoniniane des Kaisers Probus, Budapest, 1939.
(**) The E2 and F8 bust can be cuirassed or draped.
According to Pink, RIC 816 was part of the 4th emission for the 3rd, 4th and 5th officina, (year 277, exergue/officina mark style: -/-//XXIT) and, for all officina, the 5th emission (year 278, -/-//XXIT) and 7th emission (year 280, -/T//XXI). See Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 50-53.
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 virtues of the Roman army. The coin features a cuirassed bust of Probus on the obverse (front side) and a depiction of Mars, the Roman god of war, on the reverse (back side). The coin's design was meant to highlight the military prowess and virtues of the Roman Empire, and it was issued in large quantities to circulate throughout the empire. It's interesting to note that the coin's design was influenced by the artistic style of the time, which was characterized by a focus on realism and attention to detail. The coin's intricate design and craftsmanship are a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Roman mint workers who produced it. Overall, the Antoninianus - Probus coin is a fascinating piece of history that provides a glimpse into the cultural and political context of the Roman Empire during the 3rd century AD.
