Probus AD 276-282 Bronze Antoninianus

Probus AD 276-282 Bronze Antoninianus

Radiate bust left / Probus on horseback pacing left, hand raised

Serdica

RCV12075, 23mm, 3.86g

 

Probus was born at Sirmium on the Danube frontier. He became one of the empires foremost generals and played a vital role in the defeat of Vabalathus and Zenobia recovering Egypt from Palmyrene control. Under Tacitus he was appointed supreme commander in the East. Unsurprisingly when Tacitus died his troops proclaimed Probus emperor even though Florian had been declared emperor by the Senate. Florian was no match for Probus and when the armies met his troops deserted leaving Probus in possession of the throne.
On arriving in Rome Probus was declared emperor by the Senate. Campaigning in the North Alamannic and Frankish invaders were expelled back across the Rhine while the Burgundians and Vandals were defeated at Raetia. By AD 280 Probus was able to turn east where his objective was to defeat the Sasanids. Revolts in Syria and Asia Minor prevented Probus from confronting the Sasanids. Further revolts in the West and in Britain were also supressed after which Probus celebrated a great triumph in Rome.
Probus then intended to renew his campaign against the Sasanids however the army rebelled against harsh disciple and also the policy Probus had of using his troops on a wide variety of agricultural and engineering projects. The emperor eventually was murdered in the autumn od AD 282 whilst supervising a project near Sirmium.
The coinage of Probus is of interest both for the quality of its striking but also the system of mint marks which is of considerable complexity.