Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Probus, 276 – 282.
Aureus 281-282, AV 7.64 g. IMP PR OB – VS AVG Cuirassed bust l., wearing crested helmet, holding spear in r. hand over r. shoulder and shield in l. hand. Rev. SOLI INVICTO – COMITI AVG Radiate and draped bust of Sol r. C 696. RIC 138. Calicó 4203 (these dies).
Rare. A very interesting and appealing issue with two superb portraits of excellent
style. Minor marks, otherwise about extremely fine
Ex Rollin & Feuardent 25-30 April 1887, d'Amécourt, 575; Hirsch 24, 1909, Weber, 2414 and M&M 93 Friend of theRomans, 258 sales. Privately purchased from Hamburger in 1910.
Probus' predecessor, Aurelian, paid close attention to coinage, and at great risk and expense succeeded in reforming his empire's ailing coinage by increasing purities, weights, and by re-introducing old denominations. Though Probus did not attempt any such reform of the core denominations, he more or less abandoned Aurelian's re-introduced denominations. Probus' coinage reform did not involve purity or weight, but rather design and tenor: Probus introduced the militant bust on a scale that never before had been seen on Roman coinage. Prior to his reign, it was unusual to see an armoured bust with spear and shield and especially to see the emperor wearing a helmet. Here we have the terrifying bust of an emperor ever-prepared to defend on behalf of his empire. The helmet is elaborately decorated and crowned with a laurel wreath; the spear is on his shoulder, and the shield is decorated with a horseman motif. Probus' intention, no doubt, was to demonstrate the strength of his regime and to show the possessor of this beautiful aureus that Rome's future was secured by the strength of his command. This aureus was struck both to commemorate all the victories previously won by Probus in his wars against barbarians and rebels, and to celebrate the future victories of the armies during the war that the emperor planned on fighting against the Persians.
Aureus 281-282, AV 7.64 g. IMP PR OB – VS AVG Cuirassed bust l., wearing crested helmet, holding spear in r. hand over r. shoulder and shield in l. hand. Rev. SOLI INVICTO – COMITI AVG Radiate and draped bust of Sol r. C 696. RIC 138. Calicó 4203 (these dies).
Rare. A very interesting and appealing issue with two superb portraits of excellent
style. Minor marks, otherwise about extremely fine
Ex Rollin & Feuardent 25-30 April 1887, d'Amécourt, 575; Hirsch 24, 1909, Weber, 2414 and M&M 93 Friend of theRomans, 258 sales. Privately purchased from Hamburger in 1910.
Probus' predecessor, Aurelian, paid close attention to coinage, and at great risk and expense succeeded in reforming his empire's ailing coinage by increasing purities, weights, and by re-introducing old denominations. Though Probus did not attempt any such reform of the core denominations, he more or less abandoned Aurelian's re-introduced denominations. Probus' coinage reform did not involve purity or weight, but rather design and tenor: Probus introduced the militant bust on a scale that never before had been seen on Roman coinage. Prior to his reign, it was unusual to see an armoured bust with spear and shield and especially to see the emperor wearing a helmet. Here we have the terrifying bust of an emperor ever-prepared to defend on behalf of his empire. The helmet is elaborately decorated and crowned with a laurel wreath; the spear is on his shoulder, and the shield is decorated with a horseman motif. Probus' intention, no doubt, was to demonstrate the strength of his regime and to show the possessor of this beautiful aureus that Rome's future was secured by the strength of his command. This aureus was struck both to commemorate all the victories previously won by Probus in his wars against barbarians and rebels, and to celebrate the future victories of the armies during the war that the emperor planned on fighting against the Persians.