This is a very interesting and rare coin, that some consider being an As others a Sestertius. Considering the period, it is most likely a Sestertius, as minting Ases by the time of Probus wouldn't have made any economic sense. PROBUS AE 6.86g Sestertius (VF) AV: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG; laureate cuirassed bust r. REV: VICTOR-IA GERM; trophy with captives on either side. EXE: - REF: RIC V-B 48, Rome mint Sold by Munzen & Medaillen GmbH, 2011, dealer's picture. Sestertii of Probus are very rare.
Wow seth, that's a very sweet coin (congrats) Curious though, what is its diameter? (why wouldn't it merely be an AE Follis?? ... example: an AE28 Follis) ... ... ummm, maybe that's a dumb and obvious question? (although I heard that there is no such thing as a stupid question => but man, I've heard a lot of pretty stupid questions in my time!!)
It cannot be a follis, as the denomination known today as follis didn't exist up until 294, when Diocletian's monetary reform introduced it. Although scarce from Gallienus onwards, and downright rare and very rare from Claudius Gothicus, the brass sestertii were in fact minted up until Diocletian. Unfortunately the coin is not mine, but it was so interesting and uncommon that I thought it worth presenting It's also a good opportunity for those who collect late Ases/Sestertii to show them
Never mind ... I answered my own stupid question (my friend Wiki filled me in on the answer) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follis
My latest Sestertius is Volusian (only 252 AD ... old enough?) ... okay, that'll probably be my last stupid question during "this" thread (thanks again)
Very cool coin seth77! Larger sized bronzes are a lot of fun! Yours is nice too steve! I have only one late date sestertius that I have posted it before. Here it is: Maximinus Thrax
Wow! Did not expect to see that today. Kudos to you Sir! Here is a bit of info I found on these cool beauties. "Traditionally these coins have been described as asses because their appearance is similar to the last true asses struck during under Valerian and Gallienus, and are made of copper, however most recent scholarship identifies them as reduced sestertii since inflation had rendered the as an irrelevant denomination, yet the sestertius still remained as the acknowledged unit of accounting. A monetary reform was carried out in 274 AD, introducing new bronze coinage, with sestertii bearing a laureated portrait, and double sestertii (obverse bearing radiate portrait of Aurelian, reverse bearing portrait on moon crescent of Severina"
Hmmm, this is terrific---- Both the posts and the info!!! It seems the closest I have to a sestertius of Probus are either of Balbinus or Maximus....
When asked to choose between A and B, I select C. The Probus is not a coin but a medallion given to someone for some service to the state. Wrong? Quite likely but I see no way to prove any of this. Probus is rare. Aurelian is common.
Maybe these are the latest struck before the reform? Carinus IMP C M AVR CARINVS P F AVG, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right PAX AVGG, Pax walking left, holding olive-branch and sceptre AS - Siscia mint 22mm, 3.5gr, Die 345 Thin flan. Carus IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust right PRINCIPI IVVENTVT Emporer standing left holding ensign and spear. AS - Ticinum mint 21mm, 4,5gr, Die 0. 1th emission Oct.282
Very interesting coins. Although one could wonder what would've been the point of minting Ases by that time. Were they - like Doug Smith said - special donatives from the emperor? Were they available to the public? Aurelian's seem to have been minted in larger numbers and were probably legal tender available to all public use. Also, Aurelian minted large numbers of Denarii, both denominations becoming rare to very rare after his reign. So was this tradition that was reinstated by Aurelian carried by the ones coming after him or did these denominations become obsolete, to be minted only in small numbers and for specific occasions? Their rarity would suggest the latter. The Carus and Carinus Ases are both great pieces, and their reign was also known for producing these "irregular" denominations like quinarii and double-aureliani. Here is another Aurelian 31mm, 8.22g from a Swiss dealer:
