Antoninianus - Probus radiate, draped; AEQVITAS AVG; Aequitas
276 year| Silver | 3.8 g | 21 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 276 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.8 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#294696 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand.
Script: Greek
Lettering:
AEQVITAS AVG
-/-//XXIΓ or -/Γ//XXI
Translation:
Aequitas Augusti.
Equity of the emperor.
Comment
This coin is part of the 1st emission of Rome, therefore of the year 276 (Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949). The coin was minted by the 3rd officina with the Greek letter 'Γ' sometimes as part of the exergue mark (-/-//XXIΓ) and sometimes as right field mark (-/Γ//XXI).The original RIC text lists two variations, being two bust types (Bust type according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types):
[1] radiate, draped, right (bust type A2), Numista N# 294696 (this coin);
[2] radiate, cuirassed, right (bust type B), Numista ;
For the first variant, RIC only mentions 'draped' and not also 'cuirassed'. Only 'draped' suggests bust type A. See for an example of bust type A from the Rome mint: probuscoins.fr #676 (RIC 240). The examples below suggest that 'cuirassed' was omitted by mistake because the non-B busts are all bust type A2: radiate, draped and cuirassed, right.
Other examples:
- probuscoins.fr #625 (bust B | -/Γ//XXI);
- probuscoins.fr #4385 (bust B | -/Γ//XXI);
- probuscoins.fr #4431 (bust B | -/Γ//XXI);
- probuscoins.fr #1173 (bust B | -/Γ//XXI);
- probuscoins.fr #194 (bust B | -/-//XXIΓ);
- probuscoins.fr #3646 (bust B | -/-//XXIΓ);
- probuscoins.fr #195 (bust A2 | -/Γ//XXI);
- probuscoins.fr #2337 (bust A2 | -/-//XXIΓ).
Mass varies (2.77–4.58 g) and the diameter varies (19,94–23 mm) according to
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin, which was issued during the reign of Emperor Probus (276-282 AD), was the first Roman coin to feature the goddess Aequitas (Equity) on its reverse side. This was a significant departure from the traditional Roman coinage design, which usually featured gods and goddesses from classical mythology. The inclusion of Aequitas on the coin reflects the growing influence of Christianity during this period, as Aequitas was a Christian virtue that emphasized fairness and justice. This change in design also signaled a shift in the Roman Empire's values, as the government began to promote Christianity as a way to maintain social order and stability.
