Antoninianus of Probus (AD 276–282), struck at the mint of Ticinum, belonging to issues produced during a period of intense military activity and consolidation of imperial authority following the Crisis of the Third Century. The coinage of Probus from this mint is characterized by a strong military emphasis and a clear focus on the army as the foundation of imperial power.
The obverse features a right-facing bust of the emperor wearing a radiate crown, cloak, and cuirass, with the legend IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, giving his full titulature as Marcus Aurelius Probus Pius Felix Augustus.
The reverse depicts a soldier standing left, holding a statuette of Victory and a spear, with a shield to the right, accompanied by the legend VIRTVS AVG and the exergue mark QXXT. This figure is interpreted either as a personification of virtus or as an idealized representation of the emperor himself as a warrior.
Victory symbolizes triumph, while the spear and shield emphasize the military nature of the scene. Together, these elements form a coherent propagandistic message highlighting strength, courage, and military effectiveness.
The legend VIRTVS AVG (“the courage of the Augustus”) belongs to the standard ideological repertoire of Roman coinage, emphasizing the emperor’s military virtues and his role as defender of the empire.
Roman Imperial
Probus (276–282), Antoninianus 276-282, Ticinum mint
Obverse: radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG
Reverse: Soldier standing left, holding Victory and spear, shield to right, QXXT in exergue
VIRTVS AVG
Diameter 23 mm, weight 3.74 g
