During the 8th and 9th emissions of Lugdunum under Probus the pietas reverse type was produced with two alternate spellings - PIETAS and PIAETAS. You will often see the PIAETAS coin sold as an error but it is more likely to be a spelling variation rather than an error. The PIAETAS spelling occurs over two issues and over multiple reverse dies and is generally as prolific as the PIETAS spelling variety. I have been gathering some of these over many years and have just tracked down a new addition to my collection, which gives me all the excuse I need to frag out some of my coins and share.... Just for the sake of this thread I will combine the obverse legend varieties separated by dots..... which Bastien gives a separate id but RIC does not. Emission 8 Obv:– IMP C PROBVS P F AVG , Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– PIETAS AVG, Pietas standing left by altar, holding patera and box of perfumes Minted in Lugdunum (III in exe) Emission 8, Officina 3. Autumn to Late A.D. 281 Reference:– Cohen 437. Bastien 359(dots), 360(no dots). RIC 96 Bust type F This was my first of the type that I bought almost 20 years ago Weight 4.36g. 22.70mm. 0 degrees Ex Langcroft hoard This also comes with the longer for mof the obverse legend Obverse Legend : IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG Bust Type : Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from the rear References : RIC -, Cohen -, Bastien 357 (1 ex.) But I have yet to find one. Then there is Rev:– PIAETAS AVG, Pietas standing left by altar, holding patera and box of perfumes Mint – Lugdunum (III in exe) Emission 8, Officina 3. Autumn – End 281 A.D. Reference:– Cohen 435, Bastien 354. RIC 93 Bust type F Weight 4.59g. 23.01mm. 180 degrees Which also comes with the short form obverse legend Obv:– IMP PROBVS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– PIAETAS AVG, Pietas standing left by altar, holding patera and box of perfumes Mint – Lugdunum (III in exe) Emission 8, Officina 3. Autumn – End 281 A.D. Reference:– Cohen 436, Bastien 356 (5 examples cited). RIC 94 Bust type F (Scarce) Weight 4.16g. 22.59mm. 180 degrees Now on to Emission 9, where the officina mark occurs in the fields PIETAS Obv:– IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– PIETAS AVG, Pietas standing left by altar, holding patera and box of perfumes Minted in Lugdunum (C in right field) Emission 9, Officina 3. January to August A.D. 282 Reference:– Cohen 437. Bastien 413. RIC 121 Bust type F 3.65 gms. 22.75mm Obv:– IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front Rev:– PIETAS AVG, Pietas standing left by altar, holding patera and box of perfumes Minted in Lugdunum (_ | C) Emission 9 Officina 3. January – August 282 A.D. Reference:– Cohen -. Bastien 412 (2 examples). RIC 121 var. Bust Type C (unlisted with this bust type in RIC) PIAETAS Obv:–IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– PIAETAS AVG, Pietas standing left by altar, holding patera and box of perfumes Minted in Lugdunum (C in right field) Emission 9. Officina 2. January – August 282 A.D. Reference:– Cohen 435. Bastien 410. RIC 120 Bust type F Obv:–IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– PIAETAS AVG, Pietas standing left by altar, holding patera and box of perfumes Minted in Lugdunum (Retrograde C in right field) Emission 9. Officina 2. January – August 282 A.D. Reference:– Cohen 435. Bastien 417 (2 examples cited). RIC 120 var Bust type F (unlisted with Retrograde C in right field in RIC) It also comes with Bust Type : Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front Officina Mark Position : Right field References : RIC -, Cohen -, Bastien 409 (2 examples) I am yet to find an example And finally my neweset addition. A short form obverse legend PIAETAS. Obv:–IMP PROBVS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– PIAETAS AVG, Pietas standing left by altar, holding patera and box of perfumes Minted in Lugdunum (_ | C) Emission 9. Officina 2. January – August 282 A.D. Reference(s) – Cohen 436. Bastien 411 (4 examples). RIC - Bust type F (Unlisted obverse legend, after RIC 120) 4.16g. 22.86mm. 180 degrees
This is strong evidence of linguistic change. In Lyon, by the reign of Probus, people apparently pronounced "pietas" with a diphthong: pee-ai-tas instead of pee-ay-tas.
..i agree with you & RC, it isn't a error..kool info & coins Marv...now i gotta recheck my Probus's out..
