| Roma Numismatics Ltd > Auction XXX | Auction date: 21 March 2024 |
| Lot number: 491 Price realized: 20,000 GBP (Approx. 25,336 USD / 23,327 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Probus AV Aureus. Lugdunum, AD 276-282. IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust to right / VIRTVS AVGVSTI, emperor standing facing, head to left, holding sceptre and crowning trophy; two seated captives at base. RIC V.2 12; C. 863 var. (bust type); Biaggi 1635 = Calicó 4245 (this coin). 4.76g, 22mm, 7h. Mint State. Extremely Rare; seemingly the only example on CoinArchives. This coin published in X. Calicó, Los Aureos Romanos (2002); Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 131, 30 May 2022, lot 110 (hammer: CHF 26,000); Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVI, 26 September 2018, lot 785 (hammer: GBP 24,000); Ex Chaponnière & Firmenich SA, Auction 8, 5 July 2017, lot 66; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 25, 25 June 2003, lot 565; Ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys (1906-1979) Collection. Probus' ascension to the throne in AD 276 occurred at an unstable time for the Roman Empire: three emperors had died over the last year, two of whom were assassinated and the third is rumoured to have been; the security of the empire was threatened by foreign invasion and Florian, the brother of the previous emperor Tacitus, had been declared emperor by the senate and army in the West in opposition to Probus in the East. Probus therefore had a difficult task ahead of him to defeat his rival for the throne and restore order to a destabilised empire. Probus had employed a Fabian strategy to defeat Florian, avoiding an outright battle and instead relying on skirmishes, the intensity of the summer heat and the discontent this caused among Florian's army to weaken his enemy's position. Florian was soon killed by his own forces, and Probus was confirmed as emperor by the Senate with a minimum of bloodshed. Despite the calamitous state of the Empire when Probus ascended the throne, he proved himself to be an efficient and productive emperor, defeating numerous foreign enemies and improving some parts of the areas devastated by war through engaging the army during peacetime in building projects such as growing vines in Gaul, Pannonia and Moesia. Though his rule is covered to an extent by ancient historiographers, the stories often do not match up and the picture we receive of Probus' rule is somewhat broad and lacking in detail. However, what the sources agree on are the great military achievements of this emperor and the respect he earned both from the conquered and his own people. Despite his virtues, there was little security to be found in wearing the purple during this period. A long series of civil wars had created a penchant for general-emperors, elected by the army and thereby required to repay the soldiers for their support. Further, internal divisions had left Rome vulnerable to foreign enemies with Germanic tribes attacking the upper Rhine and Danube regions and Aurelian's Persian campaign still unresolved. Finally, the threat of usurpation was ever present; over the six years Probus was emperor, he successfully put down three revolts but was ultimately assassinated by his own soldiers in AD 282 and replaced by the commander of the Praetorian Guard, Carus. Estimate: 20000 GBP |  |
