I haven't bought myself any Probus Tets to add to my collection for a long time. I have stumbled across a few budget items and couldn't resist. The first coin below is one of this new set of purchases. The condition leaves a bit to be desired with evidence of of corrosion on both sides. Year 1 coins of Probus are generally slightly scarcer than those of most of the other years simply because the year was slightly shorter allowing the mint less time to produce the coins. Probus, Billon tetradrachm, Alexandria, Year 1, Elpis (Spes) Obv:– A K M AVP PROBOC CEB, Laureate cuirassed bust right Rev:– Elpis (Spes) standing left, holding flower and raising skirt. Minted in Alexandria, Egypt. Year 1. (A to upper right of L in left field) Reference:– Milne 4516. Emmett 3987(1) R2. Curtis -. BMC 2416. Köln 3124; Dattari 5532 var (year letter position) This coin will sit alongside my other Elpis year 1 which I have had for quite a few years which has a different positioning of the year letter. As above except. Minted in Alexandria, Egypt. Year 1. (A directly over L in left field) Reference:– Milne 4514. Emmett 3987(1) R2. Curtis -. Dattari 5532 Year 2 Elpis coins are much more common. Martin (a lost cause coinaholic, I don't really need an excuse to buy more coins but as you can see even the positioning of a letter is excuse enough!)
Using your description, I think there are an awful lot of us who fit the bill. I have to force myself not to even look at any auctions or Ebay or else I will find that "excuse" to buy another coin. My only Alexandrian Tet of Probus: PROBUS Tetradrachm OBVERSE: A K M AVP PPO-BOC CEB, laureate cuirassed bust right REVERSE: L to left, Γ to right, eagle standing left, head right with wreath in its beak Struck at Alexandria, Egypt, 277-278 AD 6.78g, 19mm Milne 4566, Emmett 3985
Two more Probus Tets bought from the same source as my new coin. A rough, scrappy tet. but a scarce year and one I didn't have. Probus, Billon tetradrachm, Alexandria, Year 7, Nike right Obv:– A K M AVP PROBOC CEB, Laureate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– None, Nike advancing right, palm in left hand over shoulder, wreath upward in right Rev:– None, Eagle standing left, head right holding wreath in beak. L | Z Minted in Alexandria Egypt. Year 7 Reference:– Milne 4638. Emmett 3991(7) R3. Curtis -. BMC 2422. Köln 3157; Dattari 5543 var A common year 6 eagle and one I already have a poor example of but bought this one as an upgrade (and because it cost me less than a cup of coffee!). Probus, Billon tetradrachm, Alexandria, Year 6, Eagle left Obv:– A K M AVP PROBOC CEB, Laureate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– None, Eagle standing facing left, head right, with wreath in beak Minted in Alexandria, Egypt. Year 6. (L in left field, S in right field). A.D. 280-281 Milne 4629. Emmett 3984(6) R1. Curtis 1863. BMC 2430.
Congrats on your cool Alexandrian Tets, Martin (you have such great taste in coins) ... Sadly, I only have one lower-end Probus Alexandrian Tet, but I'm letting it out to stretch his legs ... ummm, and wings ... unlike your example, where the eagle is standing left and its head is facing right, my humble eagle is merely standing right and facing right (perhaps my eagle has an old sports injury and has limited mobility in its neck?) Reference: Milne 4632
Steve, I have a Milne 4632 too. The portraits styles are quite different. Mine looks as though the emperor has as much of a beak as the eagle does. These eagle types are certainly the most common type for this period and put some people off them. Some of them have a certain charm but you do have to be a little bit obsessive to want to chase down a full set of eagle left, eagle right, eagle spread wings for all the different years. We all have our own collecting / hoarding style. Milne would differentiate between out coins based upon where the laurel wreath breaks the obverse legend. I am not sure I am quite that far gone....yet. My example of Bing's eagle spread type is also shown below for comparison. Regards, Martin
Excellent coins, Martin! This one arrived in my mailbox yesterday - certainly not a wonderful grade, but I was thrilled by its eye-appeal.
Wonderful looking example. Snap! Probus, Billon tetradrachm, Alexandria, Year 2, Dikaiosyne standing Obv:– A K M AVP PROBOC CEB, Laureate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– None, Dikaiosyne (Aequitas) standing left, holding scales and cornucopia Minted in Alexandria Egypt. LB in left field. Year 2. A.D. 277 - 278 Milne 4522. Emmett 3979(2) R1. Curtis 1846. Ex-M&R January 1994 Ex-Keith Emmett Collection
