Laureate, cuirassed bust right.
Cuirass with pectoral aegis and Gorgoneion.
Paludamentum fold on the right shoulder.

REV.: VICTORIOSO SEMPER

Emperor holding sceptre, standing left between four suppliants.

Mintmark: // wreath

Weight: 5.28 g.
Die axis: ?
Diameter: ?

Probus spent the first several years of his reign fighting off invaders from the north and east, and suppressing internal revolts from several of his field commanders. The most pressing concern at the time of Probus' accession was the invasions of the Franks in the the north and Germanic tribes (including the Vandals and Burgundians) in the centre and south. It took Probus two years (277-278) to defeat these tribes and restore the Roman frontier on the Rhine and Upper Danube. In 279 he turned his attention eastwards, defeating the Getae on the Lower Danube, and then crossed into Asia Minor to suppress a band of robbers led by Lydius the Isaurian. Next came the suppression of a revolt in upper Egypt led by a Nubian tribe, the Blemmyae. Lastly, came the revolts of Bonosus, Proculus and Saturninus, each of whom either died in battle or was betrayed by his troops. Finally, in 281 Probus returned to Rome to celebrate his many victories with a triumph held towards the end of the year. Accompanying this triumph were lavish games and gladiatorial contests, as well as a large donative. This aureus, celebrating the "Always Victorius" Probus, was part of that donative.

Laureate, cuirassed bust right.
Cuirass with pectoral aegis and Gorgoneion.
Paludamentum loop on the right shoulder.

REV.: VICTORIOSO SEMPER

Emperor holding sceptre, standing left between four suppliants.

Mintmark: // wreath

Weight: 5.19 g.
Die axis: 6h
Diameter: 20 mm.

Image courtesy of MDC sarl Monaco