PROBUS RIC 463

OBVERSE: VIRTVS PROBI AVG
REVERSE: VOTIS X PROBI AVG ET XX
BUST TYPE: E1 = radiate, cuirassed and helmeted bust left, holding spear and shield
MINT: Ticinum
FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: -/-//-
WEIGHT:  4,22 g / AXIS: 12h / DIAMETER: 22-24mm
RIC: 463
COLLECTION NO. 1560

Note: Extremely rare and desirable reverse type struck only at Ticinum during the third issue in 277 AD celebrating Probus' victorious campaign against the Alamans and Juthungs. This VOTIS reverse variant is much, much rarer than the (also rare and very desirable) VOTIS X ET XX FEL reverse type.

What is more, my coin has a military E1 bust, whereas all the remaining six known to me specimens of this reverse type have a H2 consular bust (of which 2 ex. are in La Venera hoard, 1 ex. is in the American Numismatic Society coll. and and 3 specimens are in private collections). 

Although Sylviane Estiot cites 4 examples of this exact type (with E1 bust) in her 2006 article "Une campagne germanique de l’empereur Probus : l’atelier de Ticinum en 277-278" I have never seen this exact type on the market before neither have I ever seen pictures of this exact type anywhere online.   

It appears to be only the 5th known example of this exact type and apparently the only one in private collection and the only one whose picture is now publicly available.     

A coin of the highest numismatic interest. One of the highlights of my Probus collection!