Antoninianus - Probus Radiate, draped and cuirassed, right; VIRTVS AVGVSTI
| Silver | - | - |
| 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 |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#294750 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Soldier, helmeted, in military attire, standing left, resting right hand on shield and holding spear in left hand.
Script: Greek
Lettering:
VIRTVS AVGVSTI
In exergue: R (Rome mint mark) followed by the officina mark.
Unabridged legend: Virtus Augusti.
Translation: Courage of the emperor.
Comment
The original RIC text lists RIC 235 as minted by the 3rd (RΓ) and 7th (RZ) officina and mentions 1 bust type (bust types according to Pierre Bastiens grouping of bust types; see illustrated: probvs.net). There are two know variants:
- Radiate, draped and cuirassed, right (A2 bust (*), this coin).
- [var] Radiate, draped, right (A bust, Guillemain (**) #148 (RΔ), #187 (RZ), example: probuscoins #5033, Numista #412553);
- [var] Radiate, wearing imperial mantle, left, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle in right hand (bust H2, Guillemain #231 (RЄ), #264 (R✶B), #284 (R✶Є), example: probuscoins #661 and #2869, Numista #412552);
(*) RIC seems to mistakenly not list the A bust (Probus, draped, right) but the A2 bust (Probus, draped and cuirassed, right). There are no published examples of the A2 bust. There are a few published examples of the A bust. (**) Guillemain only lists the A bust and the H2 bust (Jean Guillemain, La Monetazione di Probo a Roma (276-282), Ripostiglio della Venèra-Nuovo Catalogo Illustrato Vol III/1, 2009). These variants (A and H2 bust) are a variant of RIC 235 because that is the only coin of the Rome mint with the obverse legend 'IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG', the reverse legend 'VIRTVS AVGVSTI' and on the reverse a soldier standing left with shield and spear.
According to both Guillemain and Pink, RIC 235 is part of the 2nd emission (exergue-/mint mark style: -/-//RЄ; year 277) and 3rd emission (-/-//R✶Є; year 278). See Guillemain 2009 and Karl Pink, Der Aufbau der römischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit VI/I, Wien, 1949, p. 41.
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus - Probus coin was part of a series of coins issued during the reign of Emperor Probus (276-282 AD) to celebrate the Roman Empire's military victories and to promote the cult of the Roman emperors. The coin's design features a radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Probus on the obverse (front side), and a depiction of the goddess Victory on the reverse (back side), symbolizing the empire's military prowess and the emperor's divine right to rule. The use of silver in the coin's minting was a significant departure from the previous bronze coins, signifying a shift towards a more valuable and prestigious currency. This coin is a rare and valuable artifact that provides insight into the economic, political, and cultural landscape of the Roman Empire during the 3rd century AD.
