Antoninianus - Probus Cuirassed, right; RESTITVT ORBIS; Victory
| Silver | 4.60 g | 23.39 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 276-277 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 4.60 g |
| Diameter | 23.39 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#392514 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Victory, winged, draped, standing right, presenting wreath to Probus, standing left, holding spear.
Star in lower field.
Mintmark followed by officina (sometimes between dots) in exergue.
Script: Latin
Lettering: RESTITVT ORBIS
Unabridged legend: Restitutor Orbis.
Translation: Restorer of the city (Rome).
Comment
This coin is unpublished in RIC. It was minted by the Serdica mint, according to the coins published on probuscoins.fr and probvs.net, by the first to the fourth officina as part of the second emission. As with RIC 851 (second emission) and RIC 856 (fifth emission), this coin has two bust variants (bust type according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types):
- Bust of Probus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right (bust A2); RIC 851 | RIC 856 (Numista #399265);
- Bust of Probus, radiate, cuirassed, right (bust B); RIC 851 | RIC 856 (this coin).
The obverse legend is part of RIC 856 (IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG) and the reverse legend is part of RIC 851 (RESTITVT ORBIS). The mint marks of the published coins are mostly according to RIC 851 (*//KAA | *//KAB) or 856 (*//KA•Γ•). The depiction on the reverse side is according to RIC 851. Therefore, this coin is listed on probuscoins.fr and probvs.net (link to the variant) as a variant of (mostly) RIC 851 and (somewhat) RIC 856.
Published examples of this coin on probuscoins.fr:
- #2619; bust B; -/✶//KAA; officina 1;
- #3033; bust B; -/✶//KAB; officina 2;
- #798; bust B; -/✶//KAB; officina 2;
- #815; bust B; -/✶//KA•Γ•; officina 3;
- #1870; bust B; -/✶//KA•Γ•; officina 3;
- #2620; bust B; -/✶//KAΓ; officina 3;
- #3042; bust B; -/✶//KA•Γ•; officina 3;
- #4381; bust B; -/✶//KAΔ; officina 4;
- #4962; bust B; -/✶//KAΔ; officina 4;
- #3025; bust A2; -/✶//KAB; officina 2;
- #832; bust A2; -/✶//KA•Γ•; officina 3;
- #1869; bust A2; -/✶//KA•Γ•; officina 3;
- #2618; bust A2; -/✶//KA•Γ•; officina 3;
- #3490; bust A2; -/✶//KAΔ; officina 4;
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features the image of the Roman emperor Probus (276-282 AD) wearing a cuirass, which was a type of armor made from leather or metal, on the obverse (front side). This was a departure from the traditional depiction of Roman emperors wearing a toga, and it was meant to emphasize Probus' military prowess and emphasis on defense and security. The reverse (back side) of the coin features the image of Victory holding a wreath and a palm branch, symbolizing the Roman Empire's victories and prosperity.
