Antoninianus - Probus (Imperial mantle, left, sceptre surmounted by eagle; CONCOR MIL[I]; Concordia) (276-277) front Antoninianus - Probus (Imperial mantle, left, sceptre surmounted by eagle; CONCOR MIL[I]; Concordia) (276-277) back
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Antoninianus - Probus Imperial mantle, left, sceptre surmounted by eagle; CONCOR MIL[I]; Concordia

 
Silver 3.9 g 22 mm
Description
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
3.9 g
Diameter
22 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Orientation
Variable alignment ↺
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#293431
Rarity index
100%

Reverse

Probus, standing right, clasping hands with Concordia, standing left.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
CONCOR MIL or CONCORD MILI
In exergue: mark for 1st officina (P), followed by value mark (XX) and the mint mark for Ticinum (T)

Unabridged legend: Concordia Militum.

Translation: Harmony with the soldiers.

Comment

RIC 325 was minted by the 1st officina (exergue/officina mark: PXXT) of the Ticinum mint (PXXT). The XX stands for 20 parts alloy (instead of the more usual XXI for a copper to silver ratio of 20:1). The original RIC text mentions 5 different variations/different bust types (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net):

  1. Radiate, draped, right (A bust, no example on probuscoins, Numista #292673);
  2. Radiate, draped and cuirassed, right (A2 bust, example probuscoins #1466, Numista #293429);
  3. Radiate, cuirassed, right (B bust, example probuscoins #1877, Numista #293430);
  4. Wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (bust H2, example probuscoins #992, Numista #293431);
  5. Radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand, from behind (F8 bust, example probuscoins #4700, Numista #293432).

According to Pink, RIC 325 - with its obverse lettering nr. 1 ('IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG') combined with 'CONCORD MIL(I)' - is part of the 2nd emission (the year 276) and 3rd emission (277) (Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 60-61). According to Pink, the 1st officina used 'CONCORD MIL(I)', in the 3rd emission exclusively with the H2 bust (see Pink: "AZ" for "Adlerzepter" or 'eagle sceptre'). Both probuscoins.fr as probvs.net attribute RIC 325 only to the 3rd emission.

Interesting fact

The Antoninianus - Probus coin was part of a series of coins issued during the reign of Emperor Probus (276-282 AD) to promote the ideals of concordia, or harmony, among the Roman people. The coin's design features the goddess Concordia standing left, holding a sceptre and an olive branch, symbolizing peace and unity. The inclusion of the eagle surmounting the sceptre was a nod to the Roman Empire's military prowess and the idea of peace through strength. This coin is a rare and valuable example of Roman numismatics and is highly sought after by collectors.