Antoninianus - Probus Imperial mantle, right, sceptre surmounted by eagle; SALVS AVG; Salus
| Silver | 3.6 g | 22 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 278-280 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.6 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#293788 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Salus, draped, standing right, feeding serpent held in arms.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
SALVS AVG
XXI in exergue followed by officina mark, or with officina mark in field.
Unabridged legend: Salus Augusti.
Translation: Health of the emperor (Augustus).
Comment
According to RIC, RIC 748 was minted by the first (XXIP) to the seventh (XXIVII) officina of the Siscia mint. The original RIC text mentions 6 different variations/different bust types (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net), and there are also multiple variants known:
- radiate, cuirassed, right (B bust, Alföldi (*) 065.016-031 (example: probuscoins.fr #425), Numista #296616);
- helmeted, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (E1 bust, Alföldi 065.044-050 (example: probuscoins.fr #424), Numista #296617);
- radiate, wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (H2 bust, Alföldi 065.004-012 (example: probuscoins.fr #4980), Numista #296619);
- radiate, cuirassed, left (B1 bust, Alföldi 065.032-036 (example: probuscoins.fr #1934), Numista #293789);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand (F1 bust, Alföldi 065.040 (example: probuscoins.fr #1932), Numista #293787);
- radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear (F5, Alföldi 065.037-039 (example: probuscoins.fr #2557), Numista #293790);
- [var] radiate, draped, right (A bust, Alföldi 065.015 (no example on probuscoins.fr), Numista #293104);
- [var] radiate, wearing imperial mantle, right, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (H4 bust, Alföldi 065.013-014 (example: probuscoins.fr #444), Numista #293788);
- [var] radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand, from behind (F8 bust, Alföldi 065.041-042 (example: probuscoins.fr #3202), not in Numista);
- [var] helmeted, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand, from behind (E2 bust, Alföldi 065.043 (example: probuscoins.fr #2555), not in Numista);
- [var] radiate, cuirassed, right, holding spear (F9, Alföldi - (example: probuscoins.fr #3998), not in Numista);
- [var] radiate, wearing imperial mantle, left (H bust, Alföldi 065.003 (example: probuscoins.fr #1936), not in Numista).
(*) Andreas Alföldi, Vorarbeiten zu einem Corpus der in Siscia geprägten römischen Kaisermünzen. Heft V. Verzeichnis der Antoniniane des Kaisers Probus, Budapest, 1939.
According to Pink, RIC 748, with its obverse legend nr. 8 ('IMP PROBVS PF AVG'), reverse legend 'SALVS AVG', depicting 'Salus, draped, standing right, feeding serpent held in arms', is part of the 5th (exergue-/officina mark style: -/-//XXIS) and the 7th emission (-/S//XXI), which was respectively in the year 278 and 280 (Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 52).
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was issued during the reign of Emperor Probus (278-280 AD), who was known for his military campaigns and agricultural reforms. One of his notable achievements was the introduction of a new system of coinage, which included the Antoninianus, a silver coin that was valued at 20 nummi (a bronze coin). The Antoninianus was a significant improvement over the previous coinage system, as it was made of a more durable material and had a higher value, making it more practical for trade and commerce. The design of the coin, which features the image of the emperor wearing an imperial mantle and holding a sceptre surmounted by an eagle, symbolized the power and authority of the Roman Empire. The inscription "SALVS AVG" on the coin stands for "Salus Augusti," which means "the health of the emperor," and was a common motto on Roman coins. The image of Salus, the goddess of health and prosperity, on the reverse side of the coin further reinforced the theme of the emperor's health and well-being. Overall, the Antoninianus coin issued during the reign of Probus was an important innovation in Roman currency and represented the strength and prosperity of the Roman Empire during that time.
