Probus; Antoninianus; billon; reign 276-282; struck 281; 4

Probus; Antoninianus; billon; reign 276-282; struck 281; 4.20 g; 23 mm. Obverse: radiate, cuirassed bust right; legend IMP C PROBVS P F AVG. Reverse: Pax standing left holding olive branch and sceptre; legend PAX AVG with officina mark IIII in exergue. Strike: well-centered on a round flan with full legends; moderate high-point wear. Toning: even light silver-grey with traces of original silvering. References: RIC V 2 90; Cohen 575; Alföldi-Kiss 281.01; mint Lugdunum (Lyon). In 281 Probus consolidated authority after suppressing several frontier and internal revolts; the Lugdunum workshop produced large issues of billon antoniniani to pay and reward troops. The PAX AVG type promoted the emperor’s claim of having restored peace throughout the provinces following victories over Germanic and Eastern enemies. Radiate antoniniani of this period illustrate the continued debasement of the third-century silver coinage, employing a billon alloy yet retaining the radiate crown to indicate a double-denarius tariff. Pieces from Lugdunum are identifiable by their style and the officina numerals, contributing data for studying mint organization and imperial propaganda during Probus’s short but active reign.