Antoninianus of Probus (AD 276–282), struck at the mint of Cyzicus, belonging to issues produced during a period of intense military campaigns and consolidation of imperial authority following the Crisis of the Third Century. The coinage of Probus is notable for its diversity of types and strong ideological content, combining military imagery with references to divine support.
The obverse features a left-facing bust of the emperor wearing a radiate crown and cuirass, holding a spear over his shoulder and a shield, with the legend IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, giving his full titulature as Marcus Aurelius Probus Pius Felix Augustus. This militarized portrait emphasizes the emperor’s active role as commander and defender of the empire.
The reverse depicts Sol in a quadriga facing forward, with the legend SOLI INVICTO and the exergue mark XXIT. Sol, as the sun god (Sol Invictus), played a central role in the ideology of the later Roman Empire, symbolizing renewal, victory, and divine protection of imperial authority.
The image of Sol in a quadriga refers to his daily journey across the sky and serves as a metaphor for the continuous renewal of imperial power. The legend SOLI INVICTO (“To the Unconquered Sun”) emphasizes the emperor’s connection to divine force, suggesting that his rule is under the special protection of the supreme solar deity.
Mint luster on both sides.
Roman Imperial
Probus (276–282), Antoninianus 276-282, Cyzcius mint
Obverse: adiate, helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield
IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG
Reverse: Sol, holding whip and globe, in spread quadriga facing, CM in lower centre, XXIT in exergue
SOLI INVICTO
Diameter 25 mm, weight 4.44 g
