Probus Siscia Alfoldi 040.002

Probus Siscia  ORIGINI AVG

OBVERSE: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG
REVERSE: ORIGINI AVG

EMMISION: 4

OFFICINA: 3

BUST TYPE: B1 (BASTIEN'S CLASSIFICATION)

FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: // XXIT
LITERATURE:  RIC: 703var (Bust B1 unlisted)   ;    ALFOLDI 040.002

RARITY: R3

Note: This coin published at Probus Coins Online (https://probuscoins.fr/); probuscoins.fr 2508 (R3; this coin)

Very rare and desirable reverse type with the classic roman theme depicting she-wolf feeding Romulus and Remus however with the most unusual inscription ORIGINI AVG,  which is unique in the whole roman coinage. This reverse either underlines the close link of Probus with Siscia (where the coin was struck) or perhaps Probus' noble, ancestral, roman origins (for propaganda purposes; in fact Probus had rather humble family origins).   

This particular coin with the rare and desirable cuirassed bust LEFT instead of right (as usual) is by far the rarest among the 4 known busts with the ORIGINI AVG reverse listed by Alfoldi. 

ex Skibniewski

Collection : Probus Siscia