Antoninianus - Probus Helmeted, cuirassed, left, spear and shield; VIRTVS AVG; Mars
| Silver | 4 g | 22 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 277-278 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 4 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#292778 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Mars, helmeted, walking right, holding spear in right hand and trophy in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
VIRTVS AVG
In exergue officina mark followed by XXT.
Unabridged legend: Virtus Augusti.
Translation: Courage of the emperor.
Comment
RIC 430 was minted by the first (exergue-/mintmark PXXT) and fourth (exergue-/mintmark QXXT) officina of the Ticinum mint (exergue-/mintmark QXXT/PXXT). The original RIC text mentions 6 variations/different bust types (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net), and there are also two variants known:
- radiate, cuirassed, right (B bust (no example published), Numista #293541);
- radiate, cuirassed, right, holding spear (F9 bust (no example published), Numista #410319);
- helmeted, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (E1 bust (example: probuscoins.fr #2104), this coin);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear (F5 bust (no example published), Numista #293542);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (F1 bust (no example published), Numista #293543);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, seen from behind, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (F8 bust (no example published), Numista #410320);
- [var] radiate, heroically nude, left, seen from behind, holding spear in right hand and square shield (aegis) in left hand (F19 bust (example: probuscoins.fr #2276), Numista #410321);
- [var] helmeted, radiate, heroically nude, left, seen from behind, holding spear in right hand and square shield (aegis) in left hand (E8 bust (example: probuscoins.fr #4684), Numista #410322).
According to Pink, RIC 430 - with its obverse lettering nr. 4 ('VIRTVS PROBI AVG') - is part of the 3rd emission (the year 277) and 4th emission (278) (Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 61-63). Both probuscoins.fr as probvs.net attribute it only to the 4th emission.
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was issued during the reign of Emperor Probus (276-282 AD), who was known for his military campaigns and agricultural reforms. The coin's design features Mars, the Roman god of war, on the reverse, which reflects Probus' military focus during his reign. Additionally, the coin's silver content was a significant departure from the previous bronze coins issued during the Roman Empire, signifying a shift towards a more valuable and durable currency.
