Probus Cyzicus RIC 912corr (Officina 4)

Probus Cyzicus VIRTVS PROBI AVG

OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG
REVERSE: VIRTVS PROBI AVG

EMMISION: 5

OFFICINA: 4

BUST TYPE:  E1 = Radiate, helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield (Shield decorated with Gorgoneion) (BASTIEN'S CLASSIFICATION)

FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS:  Q // XXIMC
LITERATURE: RIC: 912 corr. [RIC erroneously cites Cohen 918 (consular bust), instead of Cohen 919 (helmeted, with shield and spear). In reality this reverse type only exists with the latter, military bust]

RARITY: R2

3,31g / 22mm

NOTE: extremely rare and sought-after reverse type for Kyzikos mint, with Emperor on horse spearing knealing enemy (VIR-1 in Philippe Gysen's classification).

This is by far the rarest and most interesting reverse type among the few reverses struct at Kyzikos mint under Probus (though the same reverse type is quite common at Serdica).

Only the 3rd specimen of this type from officina "Q" known (but only the second ex. with Gorgoneion on shield; the remaining examples either do not have a decorated shield or have a horseman depicted on the shield)

Provenance: Paul Francis Jacquier Auction 45 lot 1735 = Philippe Gysen collection

ex. Skibniewski

Collection : Probus Cyzicus