Antoninianus - Probus Nude, left, spear and square shield aegis from behind; 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#410321 |
|---|---|
| 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), Numista #292778);
- 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), this coin);
- [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.
About the F19 and E8 variants
The only difference between the F19 and E8 bust is that the E8 bust is helmeted. The F19 and E8 bust are not in RIC at all. RIC sometimes mentions a 'square shield' (for example: RIC 388) or even an 'aegis' (for example: RIC 296), however it always mentions Probus 'cuirassed' while the F19 and E8 bust are '(heroically) nude'. See for other examples of these RIC 430-variants:
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin featuring Probus (277-278 AD) was part of a series of coins issued during his reign that depicted the Roman emperors in a more realistic and humanizing way, rather than the traditional idealized portrayal. This coin, in particular, shows Probus standing nude, holding a spear and shield, and facing left, which was a departure from the usual depiction of emperors in a seated or standing position with a more formal attitude. This change in artistic style was likely intended to convey a message of military strength and power, as well as to emphasize the emperor's connection to the gods and the divine.
