Amongst my various collections I have a collecting focus on the Ants of Probus from Lugdunum. I have been asked why this is and don't really have a rational reason as to why I collect them. I have recently obtained one of the following coins which sort of completes a sub-series from this mint and I thought that illustrating the coins would demonstrate exactly how obsessional collecting these things can be (at least for me). These coins come from the 6th Issue of Lugdunum which Bastien dates to A.D. 278 to 279 and are all of the reverse type "VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing left, holding Victory and spear, left hand on shield". The first 2 coins have the obverse legend "IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG" Radiate, cuirassed bust right Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe) Reference:– Cohen 819. Bastien 296. RIC 111 Bust type F Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe) Reference:– Cohen 819. Bastien 295 (citing 4 examples). RIC 111 Bust type C The next four coins have obverse legend "IMP C PROBVS P F AVG" Radiate, cuirassed bust right Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe Reference:– Cohen 816. Bastien 299. RIC 112 Bust type F This coins has a dotted legend IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe Reference:– Cohen 816. Bastien 298. RIC 112 Bust type F Radiate, cuirassed bust right (see from the rear) Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe) Reference:– Cohen 816 (Bust not differentiated from Cuirassed from front). Bastien 300 (1 example cited). RIC 112 var (Not listed with this bust type in RIC) This is an unusual bust type for Probus but especially so at Lugdunum. This would appear to be the third known example of this type. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Minted in Lugdunum (IIII) Reference:– Cohen -. Bastien 297 (1 example cited), RIC 112 var (not listed with this bust type in RIC) Is there anyone else out there quite as aflicted as me? Martin
Ants of Probus from Lugdunum, eh? ....... hmmm, that is a pretty far cry from your good ol' Papius Gryphon collection (they are both very cool, my coin-friend)
One could make a case for collection a city rather than an emperor. Alexandria is an obvious choice but Lyon is, too.
The examples above are a complete set of this type for Issue 6. The type was introduced during Issue 5 which is notable for the more interesting busts that make up the issue. Issue 5 is thought to have been created to commemorate the return through Lugdunum after a successful campaign against the Gauls. To complete a set of this type for Issue 5 is going to prove much more difficult and very expensive. Here is one of my Issue 5 examples of the type. Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Radiate bust left wearing imperial mantle, holding Victory on globe in right hand Rev:– VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing left, holding Victory and spear, left hand on shield. Minted in Lugdunum (//IIII) Emission 5 Officina 4. End A.D. 277 to start A.D. 278 (Bastien) References– Cohen 821. Bastien 258 (7 examples cited). RIC 111 var (Not listed with this bust type in RIC).
Steve, I did consider trying to achieve a reverse type set for this mint but that is looking unlikely as there are reverse types that would be commong for other mints that are rare for Lugdunum and achieve $1,000++ price tags when they appear on the market. The same could be said for a bust type set where there are some very unusual busts produced at this mint that hold a very high premium and some busts that would also be considered common for other mints are prohibitively expensive. I will simply carry on chipping away and buying what I can afford when it comes on the market. There is quite a bit of competition for Probus coins with some of the collectors having far deeper pockets that I, which means that I will just have to be satisifed with my small victories now and again. With my OP it was the last coin of the six posted that was my most recent win. On the face of it it would appear to be a common enough coin with a common bust and common reverse type but it has still taken me over 15 years to track one down. Regards, Martin
*self-edit-by stevex6* => I still have high hopes, Martin (anybody that can collect 100 or more Papius Griffins, is not gonna shy away from this challenge) ... either way, congrats on a very cool Issue-5-addition (it is always a complete pleasure to see your spoils)
