Hey guys! I got this Probus coin, seller said it is an Antoninianus. I got it for about 50 $. Why was it so cheap compared to most others? Was it a good deal? Is this a provincial coin? Is it made from copper? (I see some orange and green corrosions) Why is Probus facing left when usually all other coins the emperrors look to the right ? Thank you team !! I appreciate all your answers/advise/discussions
Actually, you overpaid a bit. For $50 I would expect better detail from a coin of this type, which is common for Probus (ADVENTVS AVG). It is an imperial issue, not provincial - looks like a Rome mint mark. The alloy is called billon - a mix of silver and copper, but more copper than silver. These were minted in both bust-right and bust-left versions. A nice coin, and a nice piece of Roman history, but you could have done better for the price.
Probus was the fanciest dresser of all the emperors. His coins show hundreds of variations on his attire, shields and poses. Add to that his many mints and many reverse types and you can find thousands of variations. There are rare and expensive ones but many really good looking coins in good shape are available for under $50. For that price, you should get clear details and good surfaces --- not something that looks 1800 years old (which they are).
Here is my ADVENTVS AVG depicting Probus on horseback: Probus A.D. 276-282 AE Silvered Antoninianus Struck in A.D. 278 3.88 gms, 24 mm Obv:radiant bust in imperial mantle facing left holding eagle tipped septre. IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG Rev: Probus on horseback raising hand, no captive at foot. XXIQ in exergue. ADVENTVS AVG. Grade: EF, large, lustrous, & centered with original silver plate & clear legends. Other: Siscia mint workshop #4 (Q). 5th Issue of Siscia. R.I.C. 624 Bust Type H, Alföldi type 5, n° 95, like Sear 3340. Probus strived to revive the failing Roman economy but was ultimately killed by mutinous soldiers that didn’t want to perform civilian labor. From David & Grace Barbone Sept 2013.
Too much for this particular coin in this condition IMHO. Here is my example for which I paid $10.50 shipped. For $50 I would expect a common Probus coin to be in much better condition. This is one I paid $45 shipped:
Here is my example from the same issue as the coin in the OP. One of my oh too many coins of Probus. I paid <$15 back in 2006.
Before buying any ancient coin I recommend you go to vcoins.com and search for similar coins. For example, search for "Probus" "All dates". You will get lots of hits and in the upper left there will be a dropdown menu filled in with "Relevance". Change it to "Price: lowest first" and then you can look down the list to see if there are coins with the same quality for less or better coins that might be better deals. I just did this with "Probus" and saw many nice coins at or below $50. There is another ancient coin mall, MA-Shops, that you can also search.
This thread gives me the opportunity to advertising a very good book devoted to Probus and his coinage. Although it's writen in french, it's a very useful hanbook and guide to explore the great variety in his production and the relative rarities of the different issues. You can find it here : http://www.lulu.com/shop/stéphane-h...-numismatique/paperback/product-21723724.html May I add I have no financial interest in this adventure, being only a reviewer and correcter for my friends Christophe and Stephane who both wrote it. Q
