I don't seem to add many coins to my Probus collection any more. I don't seem to find coins that I don't have that I can afford. As such I have decided that I will upgrade some of theones I have as and when I can. This coin is from relatively fresh dies and is nearly fully silvered. I think it is quite attractive. It comes from an early issue. Probus Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust right Rev:– SECVRITAS ORBIS, Securitas standing left, legs crossed, leaning on column, holding right sceptre Minted in Lugdunum (I in exe) Emission 2, Officina 1. November – December 276 A.D. Reference:– Bastien 165. RIC 49 Bust type F (Scarce)
Without the legend, I would not have recognized Probus. Several times here we have noted how early issues can look more like the outgoing ruler and this seems a good example. Of course part of this is the fact every mint city has a different look but none of my Lugdunum coins have this round face or beard style. Lovely coin!!!
The early issues have what is sometimes referred to as busts reflecting the images of Tacitus/Florian. Part way through these we see a mixture of bust styles as they transition to a style that is consitent through the next few emissions as being recognisably Probus. Emissions as per Bastien. Emission 1:- Emission 2:- Emission 3:- Emission 4 (there is a distinct change is portrait here):- Emission 5 (more elaborate bust but we see a refinement of the style after Probus actually visited the mint) :- Emission 6:- Emission 7:- Emission 8:- Emission 9:- Note that the later issues can share reverse types with early issues. These can be differentiated by the bust. The later issues have more cuirass visible than the early issues. Here is an example:- Early:- Obv:– IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust right Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy. Minted in Lugdunum (III in exe) Emission 4, Officina 3. November – Mid to End 277 A.D. Reference:– Cohen 334. Bastien 194. RIC 38 Bust type F Later:- Obv:– IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy Minted in Lugdunum (III in exe) Emission 6, Officina 3. 278 - 279 A.D. Reference:– Cohen 334. Bastien 287. RIC 84 Bust Type F Martin