Antoninianus - Probus Cuirassed, right; PROVIDENTIA AVG; Providentia
282 year| Silver | - | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 282 |
| 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#287827 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 94% |
Reverse
Providentia, draped, standing left, holding globe in right hand and sceptre in left hand.
Mint mark (R) letter (T) and officina mark (ς).
Script: Latin
Lettering: PROVIDENTIA AVG
Unabridged legend: Providentia Augusti.
Translation: Providence of the emperor (Augustus).
Edge
Plain
Comment
RIC 181 was minted by the 6th officina (RTς) of the Rome mint (RTς). See for exergue mark ‘RTΓ’ below. The original RIC text mentions 1 variation/bust type (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net):
- Radiate, cuirassed, right (B bust, Guillemain (*) #497 (RTς), example: probuscoins.fr #2409, Numista #287827).
(*) Jean Guillemain, La Monetazione di Probo a Roma (276-282), Ripostiglio della Venèra-Nuovo Catalogo Illustrato Vol III/1, 2009.
According to Pink, RIC 181 – with its obverse lettering nr. 11 (‘PROBVS AVG’) combined with “PROVIDENTIA AVG” and exergue mark RTς – is part of the 7th emission (year 282). See: Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 47. In Guillemains categorization, it is part of the 5th emission/series, minted during the summer of 282.
This coin is part of the AEQVITI series of Rome, in which the 6th officina represents the letter T in the exergue. See on these coded series: Gert Boersema, The Translation of the Codewords AEQVITI, IOBI and HPKOY, Forumancientcoins.com, 2007.
RIC also mentions exergue mark ‘RTΓ’ but correctly states in the footnote "Probably ς misread". Indeed, this exergue mark cannot be correct because it is non-existent as is clear because of the fact that the 3rd officina (officina letter: Γ) in this ‘AEQVITI-emission’ of Rome can only have exergue mark ‘RQΓ’ (the ‘Q’ being the 3rd letter of AEQVITI). Also, the 3rd officina did not mint ‘PROVIDENTIA AVG’ this 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 celebrate the Roman Empire's military victories and to promote the ideals of peace and prosperity. The coin's design features the image of Providentia, the Roman goddess of foresight and provision, on the reverse, symbolizing the Empire's ability to provide for its citizens and protect its borders. The coin's silver content and intricate design make it a valuable and sought-after collector's item among numismatists today.
