© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Probus VIRTVS AVG; Mars
| Gold | 6 g | 21 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Probus (Marcus Aurelius Probus) (276-282) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 276-282 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 6 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#292959 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Mars, helmeted, walking right, holding spear in right hand and trophy in left hand; flanked on each side by captive.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
VIRTVS AVG
-/-//SIS
Translation:
Virtus Augusti.
Courage of the emperor.
Comment
Mass varies: 5.73–6.29 g;Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Probus (VIRTVS AVG; Mars) coin is that it features a unique combination of imagery and inscription. On one side, the coin depicts an image of the Roman god Mars, while on the other side, it features the inscription "VIRTVS AVG," which stands for "Virtus Augusti," or "the virtue of the emperor." This combination of military power (represented by Mars) and moral virtue (represented by the inscription) reflects the ideals of the Roman Empire during the reign of Probus (276-282 AD).
