Antoninianus - Probus Cuirassed, left, spear; VIRTVS AVG; Mars
| Silver | 4 g | 22 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 277-278 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 4 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#293542 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Mars, helmeted, walking right, holding spear in right hand and trophy in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
VIRTVS AVG
In exergue officina mark followed by XXT.
Unabridged legend: Virtus Augusti.
Translation: Courage of the emperor.
Comment
RIC 430 was minted by the first (exergue-/mintmark PXXT) and fourth (exergue-/mintmark QXXT) officina of the Ticinum mint (exergue-/mintmark QXXT/PXXT). The original RIC text mentions 6 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, cuirassed, right (B bust (no example published), Numista #293541);
- radiate, cuirassed, right, holding spear (F9 bust (no example published), Numista #410319);
- helmeted, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (E1 bust (example: probuscoins.fr #2104), Numista #292778);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear (F5 bust (no example published), this coin);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (F1 bust (no example published), Numista #293543);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, seen from behind, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (F8 bust (no example published), Numista #410320);
- [var] radiate, heroically nude, left, seen from behind, holding spear in right hand and square shield (aegis) in left hand (F19 bust (example: probuscoins.fr #2276), Numista #410321);
- [var] helmeted, radiate, heroically nude, left, seen from behind, holding spear in right hand and square shield (aegis) in left hand (E8 bust (example: probuscoins.fr #4684), Numista #410322).
According to Pink, RIC 430 - with its obverse lettering nr. 4 ('VIRTVS PROBI AVG') - is part of the 3rd emission (the year 277) and 4th emission (278) (Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 61-63). Both probuscoins.fr as probvs.net attribute it only to the 4th emission.
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was issued during the reign of Emperor Probus (276-282 AD), who was known for his military campaigns and agricultural reforms. The coin's design features a cuirassed (armored) bust of the emperor on the obverse (front side), holding a spear and with the legend "VIRTVS AVG" (Virtus Augusti) written above, which translates to "The Virtue of the Emperor." On the reverse (back side), the coin features a depiction of the god Mars, who was revered by the Romans as a symbol of war and military power. The fact that the coin was made of silver and weighs 4 grams suggests that it was a significant denomination in the Roman Empire's monetary system at the time.
