Antoninianus - Probus Helmeted, cuirassed, left, spear and shield; 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#293603 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
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's design, featuring a helmeted and cuirassed emperor holding a spear and shield, symbolizes the military prowess and leadership of the Roman Empire during the reign of Probus (276-282 AD). Despite being made of silver, the coin weighs only 3.8 grams, indicating that the empire was facing economic challenges and had to debase its currency to meet the demand for coinage. This coin is a testament to the complexities of the Roman Empire's economy and political climate during the 3rd century AD.
