Nomos 7

Probus. AD 276-282. Medallion (Billon, 37.30 g 6), Rome, 279. IMP C M AVR PROBVS P AVG Laureate bust of Probus to left, wearing consular robes, holding eagle-tipped scepter in his right hand and resting his left at his side. Rev. MONETA AVG The three Monetae, each holding scales in her right hand and a cornucopiae with her left and each with a pile of coins at her feet to left; the Monetae at left and right, standing left, the one at the center facing. Gnecchi vol. II, pl. 120, 10. Extremely rare. Some wear but with traces of the original silvered surface. Obverse deliberately rubbed and scratched in ancient times, otherwise, good very fine.

From a Swiss private collection, ex Vecchi I, 1 February 1996, 738.

The three Monetae were a very popular reverse type for medallions in the later 3rd century: they represent the three basic types of coins produced by the mint, gold, silver and copper or bronze. Normally, all three of these goddesses face left, but on this piece the central figure faces the viewer and undoubtedly represents the patroness of gold coins. In fact, the central figure on all reverses of this type seems to represent gold since she has a hair arrangement that differs from the other two and is often taller.