Probus - RIC 102 Bust Type H - A "Holy Grail" coin for me

[maridvnvm]

The Radiate bust with an imperial mantle, holding eagle tipped sceptre is a common type for most mints under Probus but is very scarce for some reason at Lugdunum. I have a collection focussing on the coinage of Probus from Lugdunum and had set the adding of one of these bust types to my collection as a very long term target and class it as one of my "holy grail" coins. I was lucky enough to obtain an example, which has just arrived and is a nice way for me to close out 2024.

For ither coins in my collection that share this reverse type from Lugdunum and where I cite this type above as a "Holy Grail" of mine.

Probus Antoninianus

Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle
Rev:– TEMPOR FELICI, Felicitas standing right, holding caduceus and cornucopiae
Minted in Lugdunum (//I) Emission 5 Officina 1. End A.D. 277 to Early A.D. 278
Reference(s) – Bastien 205 (2 examples cited). RIC 102 Bust Type H.

3.11 g. 24.32 mm. 0 degrees

[Tejas]

Great coin, congratulations.

I have the coin below:

Obv: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG
Rev: MARS VICTOR
Bust type: H6 = radiate bust left in consular robe, holding victoriola (victory on globe) 
Mint: Lugdunum
Field / Exergue: -/-//II 
Measurements:  3,96 g / AXIS: 7h /  22-25 mm
RIC: 83
BASTIEN: 219 (5 ex. cited)  

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by Tejas

[maridvnvm]

I have already got 3 coins of the imperial mantle with the Victoriola but this is the first I have with the eagle tipped sceptre.

Here is my example similar to yours:-

IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Radiate bust left wearing imperial mantle, holding Victory on globe in right hand
Rev:– VIRTVS TVG (sic), Soldier standing left, holding Victory and spear, left hand on shield.
Minted in Lugdunum (//IIII) Emission 5 Officina 4. End A.D. 277 to start A.D. 278 (Bastien)

Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Radiate bust left wearing imperial mantle, holding Victory on globe in right hand
Rev:– PAX AVG, Pax standing left, holding olive-branch and sceptre
Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe) Emission 8 Officina 4. Autumn to Late A.D. 281
Reference:– Cohen -. Bastien 341 (3 examples cited). RIC 90 var (not listed with this bust type)

[expat]

Nice acquisition.I was looking through my coins and discovered I only have one from Lugdunum

Probus, 276-282 AD. AR Antoninianus (4.98 gm; 23 mm). Lugdunum mint.
IMP C PROBVS .  P . F . AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right.
PAX AVG, Pax standing left with branch in upraised hand and raising hem of skirt while holding sceptre; Officina D in left field. Pleasant toning.
RIC 119(RC)

[Humilau]

Congrats on picking up such a rarity. Glad such a nice Lugdunum rarity ends up in your collection. I guess both of us found "holy grail" bust types for coins in our respective mints of focus this year!

 

AE-Antoninianus (22mm, 3.3g, 6h). Siscia, 277. IMP C PROBVS P F AVG , Radiate, helmeted and armored bust to the left of Probus, holding a horse's head by the bridle in the right hand, shield on the left shoulder, spear on the right shoulder. Scene from "Virtus" adorning the shield. SOLI INVICTO (-/-//XXIS), Sol in a galloping quadriga to the left, right hand raised, holding a whip in the left hand. Emission: 6. Officina: 2. RIC 769 var.

[maridvnvm]

@Humilau I can see why that is a "Holy Grail" bust for Siscia.... One of the most iconic Probus busts of all...

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Great coins all. Nice pick up @maridvnvm

[CPK]

Great addition to your collection @maridvnvm! Congrats on landing a major rarity!

[Tejas]

17 hours ago, Humilau said:

Congrats on picking up such a rarity. Glad such a nice Lugdunum rarity ends up in your collection. I guess both of us found "holy grail" bust types for coins in our respective mints of focus this year!

 

AE-Antoninianus (22mm, 3.3g, 6h). Siscia, 277. IMP C PROBVS P F AVG , Radiate, helmeted and armored bust to the left of Probus, holding a horse's head by the bridle in the right hand, shield on the left shoulder, spear on the right shoulder. Scene from "Virtus" adorning the shield. SOLI INVICTO (-/-//XXIS), Sol in a galloping quadriga to the left, right hand raised, holding a whip in the left hand. Emission: 6. Officina: 2. RIC 769 var.

This is a fantastic bust and a great rarity. Congratulations!

I have shown them before, but below are my two rarest Probus busts (Lugdunum and Siscia):

 

[Humilau]

56 minutes ago, Tejas said:

This is a fantastic bust and a great rarity. Congratulations!

I have shown them before, but below are my two rarest Probus busts (Lugdunum and Siscia):

 

I will forever be jealous of the Siscia example! I remember watching it hammer!