Gysen collection Probus

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Orfew, Sep 14, 2018.

  1. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    The auction today went on for hours and the bidding was spirited for quite a few of the offerings. Some of the rarities went for a large amount of money. I bid on several and won one. I had the chance for several others but there are several other auctions this month I am interested in.

    Here is my new Probus acquisition. I believe this is only my third 3rd century coin.

    Please share your wins from this auction.

    Screen Shot 2018-09-14 at 1.54.28 PM.png

    Probus, 276-282. Mint Ticinum. Antoninianus, 2nd em. 276.

    3.23 G

    Obv: Imp C m AVR PROBVS p avg. Drap. Tank bust with STKR. In back view on the right. RV/IOVI conse –

    Rev: RVAT/VXXT. Emperor N. Standing right and receiving a globe from Jupiter, who stands on the left with Sceptre N. C-.

    Ric 390.

    Acquired in October 2003

    From the Phillipe Gysen Collection

    Paul-Francis Jacquier Auction 45 Lot 1395 September 14, 2018
     
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  3. Caesar_Augustus

    Caesar_Augustus Well-Known Member

    Nice one! Here's my only win! I believe it's a pre-Aurelianus Aurelian. :)
    [​IMG]
     
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  4. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

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  5. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I have to ask: Of all the coins in the sale, what made you choose this particular Probus? I have several Probus coins but none like this. It is a good example of the Ticinum (only) use of XX rather than XXI.

    I do have a coin that used dies a bit like those of the Caesar_Augustus coin but mine was struck twice. On the obverse see the extra face looking up in the head of the main strike. From style, I doubt the two are the same mint but have not researched this hunch.
    rs2295bb2876.jpg
     
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  6. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    @dougsmit ,

    There were 3 factors: I wanted a Probus from the Ticinum mint (I think they are interesting). I really liked the long-necked portrait, and I liked the image on the reverse.
    Thanks for the question and your interest.
     
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  7. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Ticinum does have the series I consider most interesting. On these the six officina codes are mirrored by the letters of the code word EQVITI added in the field. There are similar coins from Rome but Ticinum are easier to find and better looking.

    E shop Prima P
    rs2990bb1956.jpg

    Q shop Secunda S
    rs3020bb1782.jpg

    V shop Tertia T
    rs3000bb1424.jpg

    I shop quarta Q
    rs2500bb1463.jpg

    T shop V 5
    rs3040bb1781.jpg

    I shop VI 6
    rs2985b01786lg.jpg

    I have a page:
    http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/equiti.html
     
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  8. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    A great page Doug. I was very interested when you mentioned that the Aeqviti legend was truncated in different issues. One of the things I noticed about my coin is that the obverse legend Iovi Conservator is truncated to Iovi Conservat.
     
  9. Johnnie Black

    Johnnie Black Neither Gentleman Nor Scholar

    I really wanted to get a Probus from that auction but have been very busy and suspected they would hammer out of my comfort zone. Congrats on the great pickup @Orfew

    Back to searching for EQVITI coins for me. ;)
     
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  10. Caesar_Augustus

    Caesar_Augustus Well-Known Member

    All this talk about Probus coins has gotten me really interested in them. I will do some reading on Probus and see if I can get my first Probus. :) The Rome mint issues remind me of the Constantine Sol coins from Rome.
     
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  11. seth77

    seth77 Well-Known Member

    With such a collection being offered it is often the case that some incredibly interesting coins get looked over and end up selling for way less than they would have in another auction setting and a more balanced offer.

    In the case of the Gysen collection I was surprised that a very rare spec of a very rare and usually sought after series sold for just 30EUR:

    4278218l.jpg

    Maybe it's the picture which shows a rather worn and pitted coin or it was just the overwhelming quantity of special coins being offered at the same time that made this little diamond in the rough fall between the cracks.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2018
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  12. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I finally received the coin yesterday. Here is an updated photo.

    Probus RIC 390 new.jpg
     
  13. Caesar_Augustus

    Caesar_Augustus Well-Known Member

    Quite the coin, Orfew! :)

    Here's mine, which came last week.
    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

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  15. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    The coin is ugly. The reverse is not particularly interesting. There are thousands (of Probus varieties. Many varieties are quite beautiful, or a least interesting for elaborate helmets, shields, reverses, etc. Many of us already have an attractive Probus (or ten). Is it really a diamond in the rough? If so, why?
     
  16. seth77

    seth77 Well-Known Member

    It's a very rare example of the sixth emission at Ticinum dated late 279, from a rather rare series presenting the emperor on horseback riding over enemy captive, no exergual line, mintmark and denomination being usually shown underneath the prancing horse. A rather dynamic design.

    This sixth emission has no other markings but the officina and RIC does not list this type for neither emission, officina or bust type. A singular example is shown on Probvs.net Ticinum RIC 446 with a few others being recovered from the Vemania-Isny hoard (Vemania-Isny II 81-84), which I cannot add as I do not have the reference. A rare coin by all intents and purposes from a rare series.

    Not sure if you can find one like it or similar (even with both value mark and mintmark) from this series in any condition for anywhere near the price this ugly coin sold for.

    Probvs.net coin:

    R446v.260518-SKB-1178.JPG

    Jacquier auction coin:

    4278218l.jpg

    I'm not sure if double die-match or reverse die match -- the Vemania-Isny coins are reported to be all of them from the same dies.
     
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  17. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    Got today in the mail my first and only EQVITI Series II Antoninianus :) bought from the Forum of Ancient Coins and similar to one of the coins posted by dougsmit:
    22.9 mm; 3.366 g, 180 o;
    Gallia Transpadana, Ticinum 281 AD, mintmark Q - SXXI, emission 9, 2nd officina
    Ref.: RIC V-2 492(R); Cohen VI, 488 (also with helmet); Pink VI-1, p.67/9;

    Obverse: VIRTVS PROBI INVICTI AVG Radiate, helmeted and cuirassed bust left, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield on left arm
    Reverse: PROVIDENT AVG Providentia, draped, standing left holding globe in right hand, long traverse scepter in left hand, Q in left field, in exergue SXXI

    Picture from the Forum:
    #559-Probus-Equiti.jpg
     
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  18. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    A beautiful coin @cmezner . Thanks for posting it here.
     
  19. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    If you will permit me:- While talking things 'Probus', can anyone please tell me the mint of this coin?

    Probus Ex Seaby.jpg
     
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  20. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    Topcat7, it seems to be Lugdunum RIC 112 you can find it here:
    https://probvs.net/probvs/rev-reverses.html
    OBV.: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG
    Radiate, cuirassed bust right.
    REV.: VIRTVS AVG
    Soldier standing left, holding Victory and spear, left hand on shield.

    Mintmark: // IIII
     
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  21. Clavdivs

    Clavdivs Well-Known Member

    @dougsmit to my uneducated eye I particularly love your I shop VI 6 example.
    It is very obviously a wonderfully struck coin and one of the best I have seen.
    Really nice - thank you for posting that collection of great coins.

    *I regularly visit and appreciate your excellent website.
     
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