Probus Siscia Alfoldi 042.079 (Bust H15)

Probus Siscia PAX AVGVSTI

OBVERSE: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG 
REVERSE: PAX A - VGVSTI

EMMISION: 7

OFFICINA: 3

BUST TYPE:  H15 = Radiate bust left in consular robe, holding eagle-tipped sceptre (scipio) and olive branch

FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: - / T // XXI

LITERATURE: RIC 712var (unlisted Bust H15) ; Alfoldi 042.079 (1 ex)

3,25g / 23mm

RARITY: R3

NOTE: One of the most interesting bust types in the whole coinage of Probus!

Spectacular, extremely rare and desirable bust type struck only at Siscia, only in 3th officina and only during 7th issue! with the emperor holding Scipio and an olive branch.

This is only the 5th example of this type known, including the one cited by Alfoldi.

Of these 5 coins, this one is the best preserved.

This depiction of the emperor's bust (H15) is known from rare aureuses minted at Siscia in 278 which were commemorative coins commemorating victories over Germanic tribes. We are probably dealing with a similar situation in the case of the antoninians. The importance of the branch in the emperor's hand is not entirely certain. On the one hand, it may be a reference to the "processus consularis" of Probus. On the other hand, it may indicate the position of the emperor bringing peace after the victorious campaign against the Isaurians in 280. "The depiction of the emperor carrying an olive branch with the propagation of Pax Augusti shows that Probus is presented as "Pacator Orbis", i.e. the pacifier of the world whose attribute is the branch of peace

ex. collection B.Skibniewski

Sammlung : Probus Siscia