Antoninianus - Probus Draped, 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#292963 |
|---|---|
| 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 issued during a time of economic reform and military campaigns. The coin was minted in 277 AD, during the reign of Emperor Probus, who was known for his efforts to restore the Roman Empire's economy and military after a period of decline. The coin's design, featuring a draped bust of the emperor on one side and a wreath on the other, was a common motif during this period and symbolized the empire's strength and prosperity. Despite its small size, the coin was made of silver, indicating its value and importance in the Roman economy.
