PROBUS RIC 438 VAR. SOLD

OBVERSE: VIRTVS PROBI INVICTI AVG
REVERSE: VIRTVS AVG = Virtvs standing, dressed as amazon, holding victory and spear; left hand on shield
BUST TYPE: F19 = radiate, heroically nude bust left, holding spear and aegis, seen from rear
FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: -/-//QXXT
WEIGHT 3.36g / AXIS: 6h / WIDTH 21mm
RIC: 438 VAR. (F19 BUST UNLISTED)
COLLECTION NO. 452

Rare and desirable obverse legend with the INVICTVS (invincible) title in combination with a very rare and desirable heroically nude bust type with spear and aegis (Greek: αιγίς aigís 'goatskin', Latin: aegis) - in Greek mythology, the shield of the god Zeus and goddess Athena made from the skin of the goat Amalthea. RIC V.2 misinterprets aegis for "square shield"; scarcer variant with wide (instead of joined as usual) wreath ties of the corona radiata. 

RIC V.2 desribes incorrectly the figure on the reverse as "soldier" however on this exceptionally well preserved and struck specimen one can clearly see a bare breast of the figure - which is the attribute of the amazons. The personnification of Virtvs was often depicted as an amazon in the Roman coinage.  

Virtually as struck with full silvering remaining! A spectacular coin of the highest numismatic interest!

Sammlung : 04 Probus - Ticinum