Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 108 13 Apr 2023
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Probus BI Antoninianus. Ticinum, AD 277-278. VIRTVS PROBI AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust to left, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with VOTIS X ET XX on shield / ERCVLI PACIF, Hercules standing facing, head to left, holding olive branch, club and lion's skin; SXXT in exergue. RIC V.2 376 var. (bust type); probuscoins.fr 475. 3.66g, 22mm, 12h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely rare and desirable with shield inscribed VOTIS X ET XX, only one other example on CoinArchives with this mintmark, sold by NAC in 2016 (hammer: 3,750 CHF). One of the highlights of this specialised Probus collection.
This coin published at Probus Coins Online (https://probuscoins.fr/);
From the collection of a Polish connoisseur of Probus coins;
Ex Philippe Gysen collection, Paul-Francis Jacquier, Auction 45, 14 September 2018, lot 1404 (hammer: 650 EUR);
Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, 99/4, 1991, no. 2660.
This particular shield inscription indicates that the coin was most likely issued on the occasion of the 10th and 20th vows of the emperor, thus glorifying his rule and military strength (for the different type of shields used on Probus obverses see C. Oliva, 'Répertoire général des types de boucliers employés dans la représentation des bustes militaires du monnayage de Probus. (276 - 282 Ap. J.- C.)', Revista Numismática OMNI, no. 3, (2011)). The type was distinguished as a rare and desirable for collectors of Probus already in the 19th by Henri Cohen who gave 296 a value of 20 francs compared to the 4 francs for a coin without this shield inscription.
Extremely Fine. Extremely rare and desirable with shield inscribed VOTIS X ET XX, only one other example on CoinArchives with this mintmark, sold by NAC in 2016 (hammer: 3,750 CHF). One of the highlights of this specialised Probus collection.
This coin published at Probus Coins Online (https://probuscoins.fr/);
From the collection of a Polish connoisseur of Probus coins;
Ex Philippe Gysen collection, Paul-Francis Jacquier, Auction 45, 14 September 2018, lot 1404 (hammer: 650 EUR);
Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, 99/4, 1991, no. 2660.
This particular shield inscription indicates that the coin was most likely issued on the occasion of the 10th and 20th vows of the emperor, thus glorifying his rule and military strength (for the different type of shields used on Probus obverses see C. Oliva, 'Répertoire général des types de boucliers employés dans la représentation des bustes militaires du monnayage de Probus. (276 - 282 Ap. J.- C.)', Revista Numismática OMNI, no. 3, (2011)). The type was distinguished as a rare and desirable for collectors of Probus already in the 19th by Henri Cohen who gave 296 a value of 20 francs compared to the 4 francs for a coin without this shield inscription.