Antoninianus - Probus Cuirassed, right; CONCORD MILIT; Concordia
276 year| Silver | - | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 276 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#293439 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 94% |
Reverse
Probus, standing right, clasping hands with Concordia, standing left.
Officina mark (P), value mark (XX) and mintmark (T) in exergue, sometimes star (✶) in field.
Script: Latin
Lettering: CONCORD MILIT
Unabridged legend: Concordia Militum.
Translation: Harmony with the soldiers.
Comment
RIC 332 was minted by the 1th officina (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 4 variations/different bust types (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net), and also two variants are known to exist:
- Radiate, draped and cuirassed, right (A2 bust, example: probuscoins.fr #332, Numista N# 292680);
- Radiate, cuirassed, right (B bust, example: probuscoins.fr #2426, Numista N# 293439);
- Radiate, wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (H2 bust, example: probuscoins.fr #332, Numista N# 293440);
- Radiate, cuirassed, left, with spear and shield, seen from back (F8 bust, example: probuscoins.fr #981, Numista N# 293441);
- [var] Helmeted, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (E1 bust, example: probuscoins.fr #4689, not in Numista);
- [var] Helmeted, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand, seen from back (E2 bust, example: Auction 130 Numismatik Naumann, lot 718, not in Numista).
According to Pink, RIC 332 – with its obverse lettering Nr. 1 (‘IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG’) combined with “CONCORD MILIT” and exergue mark PXXT – is part of the 2nd emission (year 276) and 3rd emission (277). See: Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 48-49. According to Pink, the A2 and B bust were used during the 2nd emission sometimes combined with a star (✶) in field and during the 3rd emission only the H2 bust was used and the star (✶) was used this emission as well (and then only again in the 10th emission when RIC 332 was not minted). Although not listed by Pink, coins with the remaining busts (F8, E1 and E2) are also of the 3rd emission, because these busts were used in that 3rd emission and not at all during the 2nd emission.
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin , which features Probus (276-282 AD) on the obverse and CONCORD MILIT on the reverse, is notable for its depiction of the Roman goddess Concordia. Concordia was the goddess of harmony, peace, and unity, and her presence on the coin may suggest that Probus was attempting to promote unity and stability within the Roman Empire during his reign. This is particularly interesting because Probus' reign was marked by several military campaigns and conflicts, including a major war against the Goths. Despite these challenges, the coinage issued during his reign, such as the Antoninianus , suggests that Probus was committed to promoting peace and unity within the empire.
