Gold Aureus of Probus, 7.49 g.
Title
Gold Aureus of Probus, 7.49 g.
Creator
Probus
Date
282 CE
Description
Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Probus facing left, holding lance in right hand and on left arm decorated shield; IMP(ERATOR) PROBVS AVG(VSTVS): Imperator Probus Augustus.
Reverse: Draped and radiate bust of Sol facing right; SOLI INVICTO COMITI AVG(VSTI): to the Invincible Sun, companion of Augustus.
Style/Period: Roman Empire
Marcus Aurelius Probus was the son of a soldier and commander in the East when the emperor Tacitus was killed in a mutiny. His troops proclaimed him emperor, and he immediately set about restoring order. For much of his reign Probus traveled back and forth, successfully putting down revolts at the frontiers of the empire. He celebrated a great triumph in Rome in 282 CE, which this coin perhaps commemorates. In the same year he was on a campaign against the Persians when the revolt of his praetorian prefect, Carus, encouraged his troops to kill him.
The gold coins of Probus feature elaborate portraits of the emperor in full military dress, emphasizing his success as a commander. On the obverse of this aureus, in addition to the decorated cuirass and helmet, he holds a shield with a relief representing the emperor on horseback pursuing an enemy. On the reverse is a bust of the sun god, Sol, wearing his usual radiate crown. Sol had become increasingly important since Septimius Severus had brought the cult of Sol Invictus, the Invincible Sun, from the East, and he appears particularly as the companion and protector of the emperor.
-- Carol L. Lawton
Bibliography: P.H. Webb, The Roman Imperial Coinage V.2 (London 1933) 138.
The gold coins of Probus feature elaborate portraits of the emperor in full military dress, emphasizing his success as a commander. On the obverse of this aureus, in addition to the decorated cuirass and helmet, he holds a shield with a relief representing the emperor on horseback pursuing an enemy. On the reverse is a bust of the sun god, Sol, wearing his usual radiate crown. Sol had become increasingly important since Septimius Severus had brought the cult of Sol Invictus, the Invincible Sun, from the East, and he appears particularly as the companion and protector of the emperor.
-- Carol L. Lawton
Bibliography: P.H. Webb, The Roman Imperial Coinage V.2 (London 1933) 138.
Source
Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Purchased from Abner Kreisberg, June 8, 1978.
Identifier
91.232
Rights
Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890
Subject
Roman, helmet, curiass, Probus, lance, sheild, Sol
Files
Citation
Probus, “Gold Aureus of Probus, 7.49 g.,” Lawrence University Classics Department & Ottilia Buerger Coin Collections, accessed November 5, 2026, https://thor.lawrence.edu/omeka/buerger/items/show/310.