PROBUS 278AD LION with OX Legion Symbols Rare Original Ancient Roman Coin i55621

Item: i55621

Authentic Ancient Coin of:

Probus
–
Roman Emperor
: 276-282 
A.D.

Bronze Antoninianus 21mm (3.49 grams) Siscia mint,  
1st officina. 5th emission, 278 A.D.
Reference: RIC V 612; Alföldi, Siscia V 44.5; Pink VI/1 
p. 51 (variant for all, no star)
IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust 
right.
P M TR P COS II P P Exe: XXIP, Lion standing left; head 
of ox to lower left; star above.

* Numismatic Note: The lion and the ox depicted on this 
coin are likely symbols of specific Roman legions, and 
therefore this coin could have either honored those 
legions, or possibly even legionary coinage.

You 

Authenticity.

Probus (Latin:
Marcus Aurelius Probus 
Augustus; c. 19 August 232 – 
September/October 282), was
Roman Emperor
from 276 
to 282.

During his reign, the
Rhine
and
Danube
frontier was 
strengthened after successful wars against several
Germanic tribes
such as 
the
Goths
,
Alamanni
,
Longiones
,
Franks
,
Burgundians
, and
Vandals
. The
Agri Decumates
and much 
of the
Limes Germanicus
in
Germania Superior
were 
officially abandoned during his reign, with the Romans 
withdrawing to the
Rhine
and
Danube
rivers.

Life

Born in 232 in
Sirmium
(modern day
Sremska Mitrovica
),
Pannonia Inferior
, the 
son of Dalmatius, Probus entered the army around 250 
upon reaching adulthood. Appointed as a
military tribune
by the 
emperor
Valerian
, he later 
distinguished himself under the emperors
Aurelian
and
Tacitus
. He was 
appointed governor of the East by Tacitus, whose death 
in 276 prompted Probus’ soldiers to proclaim him 
emperor.

Florianus
, the 
half-brother of Tacitus, was also proclaimed successor 
by his soldiers, but he was killed after an indecisive 
campaign.^[9] 
Probus travelled west, defeating the Goths along the 
lower Danube in 277, and acquiring the title of
Gothicus. His position as emperor was ratified by 
the
Senate
around this 
time.

As Emperor

In 278, Probus campaigned successfully in
Gaul
against the
Alamanni
and
Longiones
; both tribes 
had advanced through the
Neckar
valley and 
across the Rhine into Roman territory. Meanwhile, his 
generals defeated the
Franks
and these 
operations were directed to clearing
Gaul
of Germanic 
invaders (Franks 
and
Burgundians
), allowing 
Probus to adopt the titles of Gothicus Maximus 
and Germanicus Maximus.

One of his principles was never to allow the soldiers 
to be idle, and to employ them in time of peace on 
useful works, such as the planting of vineyards in Gaul, 
Pannonia and other districts, in order to restart the 
economy in these devastated lands.^[14] 
Of a greater and more lasting significance, Probus began 
the strategy of settling the Germanic tribes in the 
devastated provinces of the empire.

Antoninianus
 
of Probus minted in 280. Depicts the solar 
divinity
Sol Invictus
 
riding a
quadriga
. 
Probus issued many different coins during 
his six years of rule.

In 279–280, Probus was, according to
Zosimus
, in
Raetia
,
Illyricum
and
Lycia
, where he fought 
the
Vandals
. In the same 
years, Probus’ generals defeated the
Blemmyes
in
Egypt
. Probus then 
ordered the reconstruction of bridges and canals along 
the Nile, where the production of grain for the Empire 
was centered.

In 280–281, Probus put down three usurpers,
Julius Saturninus
,
Proculus
and
Bonosus
. The extent of 
these revolts is not clear, but there are clues that 
they were not just local problems. In 281, the emperor 
was in Rome, where he celebrated his
triumph
.

Probus was eager to start his eastern campaign, 
delayed by the revolts in the west. He left Rome in 282, 
travelling first towards Sirmium, his birth city. About 
Probus’ death different accounts exist. According to
John Zonaras
, the 
commander of the
Praetorian Guard

Marcus Aurelius Carus
 
had been proclaimed, more or less unwillingly, emperor 
by his troops.

Assassination (282)

Probus sent some troops against the new usurper, but 
when those troops changed sides and supported Carus, 
Probus’ remaining soldiers assassinated him at Sirmium 
(September/October 282). According to other sources, 
however, Probus was killed by disgruntled soldiers, who 
rebelled against his orders to be employed for civic 
purposes, like draining marshes. 
Carus was proclaimed emperor after Probus’ death and 
avenged the murder of his predecessor.