Coin Item Number: 3206/7 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Roman coin of Probus (276-282). Obverse: bust of an emperor, facing right; he wears a laurel crown; to left, inscription is (in Greek) A K M AUR PROBOS SEB. Obverse: draped figure (Elpis, Greek spirit of Hope), standing to left, lifting hem of chiton with one hand, to right, holding flower; to left, inscription 'L / B'.

History Of Use

"A K M AVP ΠPOBOC CEB” extends into “Autokrator Kaisaros Markos Aurelios Probos Sebastos,” and translates to “Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Probus Augustus”; Tetradrachm (denomination); regnal year 2 (276-77). When Rome conquered Egypt, it preserved the closed currency system already in place there, as well as the local designs of coinage; the use of Greek mythological figures paid respect to local traditions, while the depiction of the emperor tied the coin to Roman authority. These Greek-style coins, called “Alexandrian Coins”, circulated only within Egypt. Merchants and other travellers had to exchange their coinage at the border. At the time this coin was made, Alexandrian coins were severely degraded in value and quality. Tetradrachms like this one were originally a valuable denomination made up of silver, but by the time of this coin’s minting, they were the most common coin and were mostly bronze.

Narrative

References: Koln 3128; Dattari 5533; Milne 4531; Emmett 3987.

Item History

What

Name
Coin
Identification Number
3206/7
Type of Item
coin
Material
bronze metal
Overall
height 0.3 cm, diameter 2.0 cm

Who

Culture
Roman
Previous Owner
David Cunningham
Received from
David Cunningham (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Alexandria, Egypt

When

Creation Date
between 276 and 277
Ownership Date
before October 27, 2016
Acquisition Date
on October 27, 2016

Other

Item Classes
metalwork
Condition
fair
Accession Number
3206/0007