Ancients: PROBUS

One of my ancient collections focuses on the coins of Probus from his mint at Lugdunum. I have gathered around 150 examples of the years and the time between my purchases grows all the time. When I find one I don't have I will go for it but even then I only win about 1 in 10. This is my newset addition to this addiction from the 5th issue which introduced the more flamboyant busts to this mint. I will take these in any grade I can get.

Probus Antoninianus
Obv:– IMP C PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield
Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy
Minted in Lugdunum (III) Emission 5 Officina 3. End A.D. 277 to Early A.D. 278
Reference:– Cohen 336. Bastien 241 (6 examples cited). RIC 84 Bust Type G (rated Scarce)



Martin

 

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Nice coin, I like the surfaces alot for some reason.

These are an area where one example is fine by me. Too many & no desire to study.

My only one which you've seen.


Æ 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, 280 A.D., 3rd officina
RIC Vb Cyzicus 911

 

Here is our Probus getting a wreath from Terraum. What a guy.

 

Probus, eh?

eh-heh-heh ... man, I definitely need to upgrade my Probus collection, which consists of "1" lone and fairly suspect coin!






... oh, and very shaky, homegrown photography

 

... my coin looks a bit like it might be a knock-off that says "PRODVS" rather than "PROBVS"

 

It does look rather like a D...

 

Here are a couple of examples from my collection:

 

Engravers of this period quite often engraved a B by engraving a D and placing a line though it. Odd but true.

 

I won't start with all my Probus coins as I still have more than 500 in my trays.....

 

Martin => thanks for the clarification ... ummm, so the "D" doesn't make this example "more rare" than the "B" versions?

500 Probus-coins => geesh, you'd better have the answers to all of my Probus questions!!

 

nice probi everyone!

here's my favorite probus (i only have 2)...

 

I decided to pick some Probus coins out of their trays and update their photos. Here is my first attempt:-

Probus
Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, bust left in imperial mantle, holding scepter surmounted by eagle
Rev:– SOLI INVICTO, Sol in quadriga riding left, holding globe and whip
Minted in Rome (R in exe) Emission 2. A.D. 277
Reference:– RIC 204 Bust type H
Weight 5.63 gms.
Size 23.25 mm

 

Nice Probii everyone. I only have two. But I really like them both.


Probus; AD 276-282
Silvered AE Antoninianus
OBV: IMP M AVR PROBUS PF AVG; Radiate Draped Bust Right
REV: RESTITVT ORBIS;Female standing Right Presenting wreath to emperor, officinal letter in between, mm XXI
(Sear 3364)





Probus; 277-279 AD
AE Antoninianus; 24mm/2.8g, Siscia mint
OBV: OBV: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right
REV: CONSERVAT AVG, Sol standing front, head left, right hand raised in salute & left hand holding globe, XXIQ in ex.
(RIC V-2 Siscia 671)

 

Sweet ... I've always loved that first coin of yours, Bannon

=> very nice lookin' desert patina, brother!!

 

Martin ... hey, I'm still a bit curious

=> I haven't seen any other "D" versus "B" examples?

... that's lookin' good for my coin, right?




... actually, I guess the Bannon-example is fairly close?

 

Most engravers could engrave a B and the D converted is certainly less common than the standard B but certainly not unheard of.

 

Okay ... thanks Martin

Thanks for the info, my numero uno Probus-friend!!

=> man, please keep us amazed with your incredible collection!! (I'm/we're lovin' it!!)

 

Here is the earlier, more normal bust type for the MARS reverse from Lugdunu. A large flan.

Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust right
Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy.
Minted in Lugdunum (II in exe) Emission 3, Officina 2. November – December A.D. 276
Reference:– Cohen 337. Bastien 179. RIC 37 Bust type F

4.80 gms, 23.43mm x 25.20mm

 

Why Probus ????

 

They were varied, a huge number of busts, reverses and legend varieties, generally easily accessible (cheap) at the time I was getting into them. I bought 500+ coins in a very short period of time on a tight budget. There wasn't too much competition, other than for the more obscure types which generally went way beyond my budget. I stopped my wider Probus collecting about 5 years ago and have trimmed my Probus coins down from about 750 to about 500. I now only add to my Probus - Lugdunum habit and fund it by selling off coins from my other mints.

I started with Probus when I found out that I could buy VF+ Mars types for <$20. Ahhh those were the days.... In recent times I have been priced out of most of the Probus market.