Probus, 276-282. Antoninianus (Silvered bronze, 22 mm, 2.9 gm. Siscia, c. 277. Obv: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust of Probus to right. Rev: SISCIA PROBI AVG / XXIQ Siscia seated to left on throne, holding a long diadem with both hands; to left and right, the river-gods Savus and Colapsis holding urns from which water flows. Cohen 635. RIC 765. ROA5533. Much of the original silvering remaining. Extremely Rare and exceptionally well preserved.

Siscia, the nearest mint to Probus’ home town of Sirmium, may have maintained a close relationship with the emperor, as indicated by this unusual reverse type which proclaims the emperor’s origin in the region (ORIGINI AVG, RIC 701-3) or call him ‘our Augustus’ (VICT PROBI AVG NOSTRI, RIC 793-4). This very rare issue from Siscia the ‘[town] of Probus Augustus shows the personification of Siscia flanked by the river-gods Savus and Colapsis. One of the very few examples of the portrayal of a local motive on a Roman imperial coin. Siscia, located on the confluence of the Savus (Sava) and the Colapsis (Kupa) in modern-day Croatia, was a strategically important location.  It was here that the Sava became navigable and served as a reliable transport route between the military infrastructure of Northern Italy and the Danube frontier. The initiative for this extraordinary coin likely came from local officials at the imperial mint. Probus apparently favored his home region – likely due to of its strategic position and importance as a recruitment area for the Roman Legions.

Pertinax, Sestertius Jan. 1 – March 28, AD 193, Æ 33 mm. 26.5 gm. Obv: IMP CAES P HELV PERTINAX AVG, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev: DIS GENITORIBVS, Towered female figure standing facing, sacrificing over altar and holding box of perfumes; to r., child on globe, raising both hands. C 16. RIC 16 (R3). Extremely rare. Ex NAC. Comes with Italian export permit.