Chronology: Pink's 5th emission of Siscia, 278 CE.
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| Not listed in RIC; Calic̣ 5146; Pink p. 52 nº 8 (Leg 3, AZ
l.); Siscia. Bust type H var., (H2*). Denomination:
Aureus. Triton sale III, 1999, lot 1168 (this obverse die). |
| OBV.: IMP C M AVR PROBVS
P F AVG Cesures:
IMP C M AVR P_ROBVS P F AVG
Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle. REV.: HERCVLI ERYMANTHIO
Cesures: HERCVLI ERY_MANTHIO Hercules standing right, carrying wild boar. Mintmark: // Weight: 5.98 g. Image & text provided courtesy of Messieurs Russo,NUMISMATICA ARS CLASSICA NAC Auction 27, 12.05.2004. Among the rarest and most impressive of Probus' types in gold, this reverse celebrates the fourth of the "twelve labors" that Hercules was directed to perform in the service of the cowardly Argolid king Eurystheus. This labor, the capture of the Erymanthian Boar, was depicted on provincial and Imperial coinage in a variety of ways, indicating that several sculptural prototypes existed to represent this scene. Most feature Hercules standing or advancing with the boar on his shoulders, yet on others he has the boar across his knee. Some include in the scene king Eurystheus cowering in a jar at Heracles' feet because the hero had returned with the fearsome animal while it was still alive. Considering Probus struck two other "labour" types - the captures of Cerberus and the Cerynean hind - it is possible that the other nine within the series were struck, but did not survive or have yet to surface. Postumus, the rebel in Gaul a generation before, struck a more complete series of aurei depicting the labours and adventures of Hercules, among which is this type, though Hercules is shown advancing with Eurystheus' jar at his feet. |
Last revision: 02.07.2018 [...]