Probus Siscia PAX AVGVSTI
Obverse: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG
Reverse: PAX AVGVSTI
Emission: 7
Officina: 3
Bust type: H15 = Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle, and branch or flowers in right hand.
Exergue marks: - / T //XXI
Literature: RIC 712var (unlisted bust H15) ; Alfoldi 042.079 (1ex)
Rarity: R3
Note: One of the best coins in my collection. An ultra-rare, extremely obtainable bust depicting the emperor holding Scipio and a branch. The bust is known only from the Siscia mint, struck exclusively in seven issues in the third printing office.
Only the fifth known specimen (!), including the one recorded by Alfoldi. Of these five coins, this one is the best preserved.
This depiction of the emperor's bust (H15) is known from rare aurei minted in Siscia in 278, which were commemorative coins commemorating victories over Germanic tribes.
A similar situation likely occurred with the Antoniniani. The significance of the branch in the emperor's hand is uncertain. On the one hand, it may be a reference to Probus's "consular procession." On the other hand, it may indicate the emperor's position as a peacemaker after the victorious campaign against the Isaurians in 280. "The representation of the emperor carrying an olive branch with the propagation of Pax Augusti shows that Probus is presented as "Pacator Orbis" or the pacifier of the world whose attribute is the branch of peace
Ref: ex.coll.B.Skibniewski