Probus BI Antoninianus
ROMAN EMPIRE. Probus.
Billon Antoninianus, AD 277. Siscia.
Obv: IMP PROBVS INV AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: RESTIT ILIVRICI, the personifications of the Illyrian provinces standing facing, raising their right hands and with their heads turned to left and right, holding signa; XXI in exergue.
Good Very Fine; some silvering remains, well-centred.
Extremely Rare.
“Restorer of Illyricum.”
Struck at Siscia in AD 277, this rare antoninianus belongs to one of the most historically evocative issues of the reign of Probus. The reverse legend, RESTIT ILIVRICI - “Restorer of Illyricum” - presents the emperor as the restorer of Roman authority in the strategically vital Danubian provinces. Two female personifications of Illyricum stand facing opposite directions, bearing military standards, symbolizing the restoration of the region through Roman arms. The type belongs to the wider program of Probus' early Danubian campaigning and his efforts to secure the Balkan frontier following the profound military and political instability of the third century. Its production at Siscia, in the heart of the region and relatively close to Probus' birthplace at Sirmium, gives the reverse particular resonance. The obverse title IMP PROBVS INV AVG (“Probus, Unconquered Augustus”) completes the message: the emperor's military invincibility is presented as the force that has restored Illyricum to security and Roman order. Rather than commemorating a single battle, the coin should be understood as a concise statement of imperial restoration - Probus as the emperor who had returned the Danubian world to Roman control.
Reference: RIC V.2-730 corr. (rev. legend), var. (bust type); probuscoins.fr-512 corr. (same); Alföldi, Siscia V 56.1 corr. (same).
Weight: 3.41g.
Diameter: 23mm.
Die Axis: 12h.
PLEASE NOTE:
A 20.00% buyer's premium will be charged separately. VAT on the buyer's premium may apply in accordance with UK regulations. Payment can be made in EUR, CHF, or USD for an exchange fee. Please contact us to find out more.
ROMAN EMPIRE. Probus.
Billon Antoninianus, AD 277. Siscia.
Obv: IMP PROBVS INV AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: RESTIT ILIVRICI, the personifications of the Illyrian provinces standing facing, raising their right hands and with their heads turned to left and right, holding signa; XXI in exergue.
Good Very Fine; some silvering remains, well-centred.
Extremely Rare.
“Restorer of Illyricum.”
Struck at Siscia in AD 277, this rare antoninianus belongs to one of the most historically evocative issues of the reign of Probus. The reverse legend, RESTIT ILIVRICI - “Restorer of Illyricum” - presents the emperor as the restorer of Roman authority in the strategically vital Danubian provinces. Two female personifications of Illyricum stand facing opposite directions, bearing military standards, symbolizing the restoration of the region through Roman arms. The type belongs to the wider program of Probus' early Danubian campaigning and his efforts to secure the Balkan frontier following the profound military and political instability of the third century. Its production at Siscia, in the heart of the region and relatively close to Probus' birthplace at Sirmium, gives the reverse particular resonance. The obverse title IMP PROBVS INV AVG (“Probus, Unconquered Augustus”) completes the message: the emperor's military invincibility is presented as the force that has restored Illyricum to security and Roman order. Rather than commemorating a single battle, the coin should be understood as a concise statement of imperial restoration - Probus as the emperor who had returned the Danubian world to Roman control.
Reference: RIC V.2-730 corr. (rev. legend), var. (bust type); probuscoins.fr-512 corr. (same); Alföldi, Siscia V 56.1 corr. (same).
Weight: 3.41g.
Diameter: 23mm.
Die Axis: 12h.
PLEASE NOTE:
A 20.00% buyer's premium will be charged separately. VAT on the buyer's premium may apply in accordance with UK regulations. Payment can be made in EUR, CHF, or USD for an exchange fee. Please contact us to find out more.
