This silvered antoninianus coin was issued during the reign of Emperor Probus who ruled the Roman Empire from 276-282 AD, during the tumultuous "Age of Chaos" period when Rome saw numerous short-lived emperors. Minted during a time of economic instability, this coin represents the debased silver currency that characterized the Crisis of the Third Century. As part of a special "Age of Chaos" collection, this specimen highlights one of the more successful emperors who briefly stabilized the empire amid decades of turmoil.
Coin Description:
Front side: Radiate portrait of Emperor Probus facing right, wearing an imperial crown with radiating spikes symbolizing solar divinity, surrounded by the inscription "IMP C M AVG PROBUS PF AVG" (Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Probus, Pius Felix Augustus).
Back side: Emperor Probus riding horseback facing left, displaying imperial power and military leadership, with the letter "T" positioned between the horse's legs, inscription "PROBI AVG" (of Probus Augustus) above, and "XXIMC" in the exergue (the lower section beneath the ground line).
Technical Details:
Silver-washed bronze composition (heavily debased silver content)
Antoninianus (double denarius denomination, though with minimal actual silver content)
Reference/catalog number: AGEOFCHAOS-CLRBOX (collection reference)
Part of a four-coin collection highlighting the "Age of Chaos" period
Minted between 276-282 AD at an imperial Roman mint
Historical Significance:
Emperor Probus ruled during the Crisis of the Third Century (235-284 AD), a period when Rome faced unprecedented challenges including barbarian invasions, civil wars, economic depression, and plague. Despite his relatively short reign, Probus achieved notable military successes against Germanic tribes and attempted economic reforms to restore stability. The antoninianus denomination represented on this coin was originally introduced as a double denarius, but by Probus' time had been so severely debased that it contained only trace amounts of silver. The horseback imagery on the reverse emphasizes Probus' military leadership at a time when successful generals frequently claimed the imperial throne. His assassination by his own troops in 282 AD typified the violent political turnover that characterized this chaotic period in Roman history.
This silvered antoninianus coin was issued during the reign of Emperor Probus who ruled the Roman Empire from 276-282 AD, during the tumultuous "Age of Chaos" period when Rome saw numerous short-lived emperors. Minted during a time of economic instability, this coin represents the debased silver currency that characterized the Crisis of the Third Century. As part of a special "Age of Chaos" collection, this specimen highlights one of the more successful emperors who briefly stabilized the empire amid decades of turmoil.
Coin Description:
Front side: Radiate portrait of Emperor Probus facing right, wearing an imperial crown with radiating spikes symbolizing solar divinity, surrounded by the inscription "IMP C M AVG PROBUS PF AVG" (Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Probus, Pius Felix Augustus).
Back side: Emperor Probus riding horseback facing left, displaying imperial power and military leadership, with the letter "T" positioned between the horse's legs, inscription "PROBI AVG" (of Probus Augustus) above, and "XXIMC" in the exergue (the lower section beneath the ground line).
Technical Details:
Silver-washed bronze composition (heavily debased silver content)
Antoninianus (double denarius denomination, though with minimal actual silver content)
Reference/catalog number: AGEOFCHAOS-CLRBOX (collection reference)
Part of a four-coin collection highlighting the "Age of Chaos" period
Minted between 276-282 AD at an imperial Roman mint
Historical Significance:
Emperor Probus ruled during the Crisis of the Third Century (235-284 AD), a period when Rome faced unprecedented challenges including barbarian invasions, civil wars, economic depression, and plague. Despite his relatively short reign, Probus achieved notable military successes against Germanic tribes and attempted economic reforms to restore stability. The antoninianus denomination represented on this coin was originally introduced as a double denarius, but by Probus' time had been so severely debased that it contained only trace amounts of silver. The horseback imagery on the reverse emphasizes Probus' military leadership at a time when successful generals frequently claimed the imperial throne. His assassination by his own troops in 282 AD typified the violent political turnover that characterized this chaotic period in Roman history.
