Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1581. Estimate $7500.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $10000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PROBUS. 276-282 AD. AV "Heavy" Aureus (6.91 g, 11h). Siscia mint. 2nd emission, 277 277 AD. IMP C M AVR P-ROBVS P F AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / SECVRI-TAS SAECVLI, SÉcuritas seated left, holding sceptre in right hand, head resting on left hand, left arm propped on back of throne; SIS. RIC V 593; Pink VI/1, p. 49; Calicó 4195; Hunter 186; Cohen 631. Superb EF, lustrous. ($7500)

Ex Lanz 112 (25 November 2002), lot 847.

This exceptionally heavy gold coin was struck at the rate of 47 per Roman pound, making it a nearly perfect 1.5-aureus of the 70-per-pound standard that seems to have been Probus’ benchmark. The reverse type of this coin, SECVRITAS SAECVLI (like another type of Probus from the same year inscribed RESTITVT SAECVLI), calls for the return of a golden age, an idea Probus promoted in conjunction with his arrival in Rome in 277 AD and his celebration of decennial vows. Considering its high weight and special reverse type, this coin no doubt had a ceremonial function, perhaps as a donative to the army.