Antoninianus - Probus cuirassed, right;SECVRIT PERP; Securitas
281 year| Silver | 4.4 g | 23 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 281 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 4.4 g |
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#293570 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Securitas, draped, standing left, legs crossed, leaning on column, raising right hand to head.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
SECVRIT PERP
-/I//VIXXI
Translation:
Securitas Perpetua.
To perpetual security.
Comment
About RIC 525The original RIC text lists two variations, being two bust types (bust type according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types). Also one variant is known:
[1] Radiate, cuirassed, right (bust type B), this coin;
[2] Radiate, wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (bust type H2), ;
[3] [var] Radiate, wearing imperial mantle, right, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (bust type H4, see probuscoins.fr #1249);
This coin was minted by the 6th officina (exergue mark VIXXI) of Ticinum. RIC only mentions the right field mark 'I', but the 'I' is also commonly depicted on the left. See in particular the H2 version: .
According to Pink (Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949), the 6th officina used the reverse title 'SECVRIT PERP', combined with obverse legend 'IMP C PROBVS AVG' (in Pink's article: legend nr. 7), the exergue mark VIXXI and the field mark I, during the 9th emission, which was in the year 281. Also commonly included under RIC 525 is the variation on the version with the H2 bust, with the field mark 'I' and '✶', which is, according to Pink, part of the 10th emission (282).
This coin is part of the EQVITI series of Ticinum, which is, according to Pink, part of the 8th, 9th and 10th emission. In the EQVITI series, the 6th officina represents the letter I (EQVITI) as field mark. See on these coded series: Gert Boersema, The Translation of the Codewords AEQVITI, IOBI and HPKOY, Forumancientcoins.com, 2007.
See for an example of this coin:
- Probuscoins.fr #4701 (left field mark 'I').
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin , which features Probus (276-282 AD) on the obverse and Securitas on the reverse, is notable for its unique design. The cuirassed bust of Probus on the obverse is surrounded by the legend "SECVRIT PERP," which stands for "Securitas Perpetua," or "Eternal Security." This legend was a common feature on coins during the reign of Probus, who was known for his military campaigns and efforts to secure the empire's borders. The reverse of the coin features a personification of Securitas, the Roman goddess of security and stability, standing holding a scepter and a patera, symbols of her authority and role in maintaining peace and prosperity throughout the empire. The coin's design serves as a representation of the Roman Empire's military prowess and its commitment to securing peace and stability for its citizens.
