(122) Probus - AV aureus, A.D. 282, 7.49 g. (inv. 91.232).
Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Probus l., holding lance in r. and
on l. arm decorated shield; IMP(ERATOR) PROBVS AVG(VSTVS): Imperator Probus
Augustus.
Reverse: Draped and radiate bust of Sol r.; SOLI INVICTO COMITI AVG(VSTI):
to the Invincible Sun, companion of Augustus.
Provenance: Abner Kreisberg, 1978.
Bibliography: P.H. Webb, The Roman Imperial Coinage V.2 (London 1933)
138.
Marcus Aurelius Probus was the son of a soldier and commander in the East
when the emperor Tacitus was killed in a mutiny. His troops proclaimed him
emperor, and he immediately set about restoring order. For much of his reign
Probus travelled back and forth, successfully putting down revolts at the
frontiers of the empire. He celebrated a great triumph in Rome in A.D. 282,
which this coin perhaps commemorates. In the same year he was on a campaign
against the Persians when the revolt of his praetorian prefect, Carus, encouraged
his troops to kill him.
The gold coins of Probus feature elaborate portraits of the emperor in full
military dress, emphasizing his success as a commander. On the obverse of
this aureus, in addition to the decorated cuirass and helmet, he holds a
shield with a relief representating the emperor on horseback pursuing an
enemy. On the reverse is a bust of the sun god, Sol, wearing his usual radiate
crown. Sol had become increasingly important since Septimius Severus had
brought the cult of Sol Invictus, the Invincible Sun, from the East, and
he appears particularly as the companion and protector of the emperor.
C.L.L.
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