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Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX  29-30 Oct 2020
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Lot 668

Estimate: 50 000 GBP
Price realized: 44 000 GBP
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Probus AV Aureus. Rome, AD 281/2. IMP PROBVS P F AVG, laureate and cuirassed three-quarter length bust to left, wearing aegis and holding sceptre with his right hand / VIRTVS AVG, Probus in military dress, seated to left on curule chair, holding sceptre in his left hand and extending his right to receive a globe held in the right hand of Virtus, who stands before him holding a sceptre in his left hand; to right, behind Probus, Victory standing left, holding palm in her left hand and crowning Probus with her right; in the background, a soldier standing facing, holding one standard with a second to his left; wreath in exergue. RIC 146; C. 837; Biaggi 1633 = Calicó 4241 (same reverse die); Mazzini IV, pl. LXI, 837 (thid coin) = Jameson 296a (this coin); Pink p. 47. 6.58g, 21mm, 6h.

Fleur De Coin; irrelevant edge mark. Extremely Rare.

This coin published in I.G. Mazzini, Monete Imperiali Romane Vol. IV (Milan, 1957);
This coin published in Collection R. Jameson, Monnaies grecques antiques, Vol. II, (Paris, 1913-1932);
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 91, 23 May 2016, lot 49;
Ex Götz Grabert (1924-2000) Collection, LHS Numismatik AG, Auction 97 (A European Scholar lately deceased), 10 May 2006, lot 78;
Ex Dr. Athos D. Moretti (1907-1993) Collection (sold anonymously), Numismatic Fine Arts Inc., Auction XXII, 1 June 1989, lot 111;
Ex Giuseppe Mazzini (1883-1961) Collection;
Ex Frédéric Robert Jameson (1861-1942) Collection, bought by Jacob Hirsch;
Ex Dr. Eugen Merzbacher Nachf., 15 November 1910, lot 2135, from the collection of either General S.F.H. or the architect Van Muyden.

Difficulties in dating the coinage of Probus have left numismatists with the challenge of relying on stylistic variants in portraiture and iconography to establish a chronology. This undated coin, for example, has been assigned to the later period of Probus' rule due in part to the wreath mint-mark which appears also on aurei with the legend VICTORIOSO SEMPER, suggesting that they were minted after Probus' principal victories (see RIC V II, p. 6). Later coins also depict Probus in a highly stylised manner and both obverse and reverse types have a greater emphasis on his military role, often representing the emperor in military attire bearing arms and wearing a helmet. This aureus was probably struck when Probus was in Rome in 281 as part of an extensive emission of coinage in celebration of his triumph over the Germans and Blemmyae (see Historia Augusta 19); the dating is supported by the coinage for this year, one example representing Probus in a quadriga being crowned by Victory (Cohen 465).

Representing the most important quality for a Roman Emperor and the Empire itself in this period, Virtus is the spirit of manly energy and valour. This intricate reverse type celebrates the virtus of Probus with every aspect of the iconography: the inclusion of both Virtus and Victory and their usual gifts to the emperor of a globe and crown utilises imagery which is otherwise considered sufficient on its own for numismatic use. The further addition of the soldier holding the standard in the background, difficult to fit into the space so that only his head is depicted, can perhaps be interpreted as representative of the Roman army itself. Therefore, the reverse type can be interpreted as Probus surrounded by figures who symbolise firstly his own military might (Virtus), the power of his previous victories (Victory) and the strength of his army (the soldier) – all of which combine to create an image of an indestructible emperor. Despite this image of his virtus, Probus' reign was marked by extensive military struggles.
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