Antoninianus - Probus Cuirassed, right; P M TR P COS P P
277 year| Silver | 3.8 g | 24 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 277 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.8 g |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#293602 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Probus, standing left, between two ensigns, raising right hand and holding sceptre in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
P M TR P COS P P
In exergue XXI followed by officina mark.
Unabridged legend: Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Consul, Pater Patriae.
Translation: High priest, holder of tribunician power, consul, father of the nation.
Comment
The original RIC text lists RIC 607 mistakenly as minted by the Siscia mint, while in fact it was minted by the Rome mint, by the 1st (XXIA), 2nd (XXIB), 3rd (XXIΓ), 4th (XXIΔ) and 5th (XXIЄ) officina. See Guillemain (*) #60-69 and Pink (**), p. 55. RIC lists four bust types (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net):
- Radiate, draped, right (A bust, Guillemain #66 (XXIΔ), probuscoins -, Numista #292963;
- Radiate, draped and cuirassed, right (A2 bust, Guillemain #61 (XXIB), #63 (XXIΓ), #65 (XXIΔ), #69 (XXIЄ), example: probuscoins #3256, Numista #293601);
- Radiate, cuirassed, right (B bust, Guillemain #60 (XXIB), 62 (XXIΓ), 64 (XXIΔ), 67 (XXIЄ), example: probuscoins #3769, Numista #293602);
- Helmeted, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (E1 bust, Guillemain -, probuscoins -, Numista #293603).
(*) Jean Guillemain, La Monetazione di Probo a Roma (276-282), Ripostiglio della Venèra-Nuovo Catalogo Illustrato Vol III/1, 2009).
(**) Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 55.
According to both Pink and Guillemain, RIC 607 was minted in the year 277, according to Pink as part of the 1th emission and according to Guillemain as part of the 1st series of the 2nd phase.
The officina's of Rome did not use the exergue/officina mark 'KAT' or 'XXIT', which therefore are mistakenly listed by RIC.
There are also two known variants that are in fact minted by the Siscia mint (exergue/officina mark: -/-//XXIQ):
- [var] Radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand, from behind (F8 bust, Guillemain -, example: probuscoins #1400, not in Numista);
- [var] Radiate, wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (bust H2, Guillemain -, example: probuscoins #1417, Numista not in Numista).
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Antoninianus - Probus coin is that it was minted during a time of significant economic and political change in the Roman Empire. The coin was issued during the reign of Emperor Probus (276-282 AD), who implemented a number of reforms aimed at addressing the empire's economic challenges, including debasement of the currency, inflation, and food shortages. The coin's design, featuring a cuirassed bust of the emperor on the obverse and a variety of symbols and legends on the reverse, reflects the cultural and political values of the time. Despite its age, the coin remains a valuable artifact for historians and collectors, offering insights into the economic, social, and political climate of the Roman Empire during the 3rd century AD.
