New Probus - SOLI INVICTO - needs identification!

During the latest Jesus Vico Online Auction there were angel and devil sitting on my shoulders and their dialogue went something like this:

A.: Let´s turn off the computer, you already won the two coins you were interested in.
D.: But why not keep watching what happens to the other lots?

A.: Time to go home and not risk spending more money here...
D.: Look, here comes a Probus!

(countdown starts: ten...)

A.: Don´t forget that you are not collecting anything later than Postumus...
D.: But no roman imperial collection is complete without a PROBUS!

(nine...)

A.: You are not even collecting Ants...
D.: But one day inevitably you will, so why not get this one NOW?

(eight...)

A.: You´ll find something better of Probus than an Ant one day...
D.: Don´t be a fool! What are you waiting for? A Medallion or Aureus of Probus?

(seven...)

A.: Better wait for that than to waste money on a compromise...
D.: But a Medallion or Aureus will cost you THOUSANDS. So you are actually SAVING money here!!!

(six...)

A.: But it´s not even fully silvered...
D.: C´mon, it is a priceless ANCIENT ARTIFACT nevertheless!

(five...)

A: There are no bids on it, so there has to be something wrong with it...
D.: Only FIFTEEN EUROS and it is yours!!!

(four...)

A.: Remember what you promised...
D.: look, it even has a COOL CONSULAR BUST on it! Your collection is LACKING one!

(three...)

A.: if you must spend money, get some flowers for your loved one instead...
D.: look, it even has QUADRIGA on the reverse! You don´t even HAVE a coin with a quadriga yet!

(two...)

A.: be strong, take your hand off the button...
D.: C´mon, you MUST bid 15 Euros because otherwise someone else will do!
You´d be outbid ANYWAY!

(one...)

D.: OMG, it is a FACING quadriga!

(JG bids 15 Euros and wins)


IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG - Radiate bust of Probus right, wearing imperial mantle and holding eagle-tipped sceptre
SOLI INVICTO - Sol in facing quadric, his right hand raised, holding globe and whip in left, the horses spread, two on left and two on right, KAB in exergue
Antoninianus, Serdica 277 (?)
RIC - (reverse unlisted with this bust type), Sear -

Does someone know a valid reference for this type?

 

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Similar to mine (different officina):-

Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Radiate bust right in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle
Rev:– SOLI INVICTO, Sol in spread quadriga, holding globe, whip and billowing cloak.
Minted in Serdica (KAA in exe) Emission 4 Officina 1. A.D. 277
Reference:– RIC 862 var. Radiate bust right in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle (This bust type is not listed in RIC.)



This would normally sell for a LOT more that 15 Euro

 

LOL!! You've described the collector's thought-process accurately!

That's an interesting bust-type and you got quite a deal, even with buyer's fees, shipping, currency-conversion fees and PayPal fees.

I still need to get one of those facing quadriga types. They're cool!

 

Congrats Julius, as Roman Collector says cool design.

I have a Serdica mint without Probus holding a scepter:

 

Hah! You really captured what goes on in our heads . Nice pickup!

 

Wow, yours is a beauty!

So the "KAB" on mine would mean Serdica, Emission 4, Officina 2 ???

As I always look for some random info on my coins, I read Gesztelyi and Brna´s study about the Sun God on facing quadriga coins and cameos (in German only) today and it states that the production of the type was a means of propaganda closely connected to Probus´visit to the Danubian frontier in the years 277 and 278, as most of these coins were minted in Rome, Siscia and Serdica (3rd and 4th emission), in the years when Probus visited these cities, and were therefore minted to pay the Army in these frontier provinces and present the emperor himself as restitutor and conservator of the Roman world.
There are neat little differences:
While on coins from Rome and Siscia the face of Sol and his greeting hand are seen from the front, those from Serdica show them in profile (also Rome and Siscia show the weels below the horses´ rear legs while on the Serdica coins they are always behind them).
Serdica was also the only mint that used a right facing consular bust sometimes (like on our coins).

 

Here are a few to compare with...

I am yet to obtain a Lugdunum example.

Rome (holds globe and whip):-

Siscia (holds globe, you don't always get wheels but you do typically get clouds):-

Though you sometimes get wheels and no clouds.

Serdica already covered
Cyzicus:-
On the early issue Sol is facing with globe and whip

On later issues he faces left without a globe

 

Congrats on the addition.


Probus (276-282 AD)
AE silvered Antoninianus
A: IMP CM AVR PROBVS PF AVG, radiate bust in imperial mantle l., holding eagle-tipped sceptre.
R: SOLI INVICTO / CM / XXIT, radiate Sol in spread quadriga, hand risen, holding whip.
22mm
3.8g
Cyzicus, 3rd officina
RIC Vb Cyzicus 911