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Perfectly central
Lot # 3828 - PROBUS. 277 AD. Siscia. Billon. Antoninianus. Diameter: 22.75mm. Weight: 4.22g. Mint state. Perfectly central. Full silvering. Exemplary of exceptional quality. right: IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG. Radiated consular bust of Probus left, three-quarter front view, holding Scipio in right hand Reverse: ROMAE AE-TERNAE/ -|-// XXIP. Roma seated left on shield in hexastyle temple with triangular tympanum decorated with crown, holding victoriola in right hand and long scepter in left hand. Comments: Consular dress richly decorated with geometric figures. Rare type for the Siscia workshop. On the reverse, the statue of Roma in the temple is very close to the Probus medallions, cf. C. 544 and 545. On the reverse, the pediment is decorated and ornamented on the frieze. Comments: The reverse represents the first temple of Rome which will be destroyed by fire in 307. History: Probus was born on August 19, 232 in Sirmium. He led a brilliant military career during the reigns of Valerian I and Tacitus. He is commander of the army of the East on the death of Tacitus, he is immediately proclaimed emperor and easily triumphs over Floriano who is assassinated. The situation is serious. The Rhenish-Danubian limes gave way under the pressure of the Germanic invasions. Probus restores peace in Gaul, in Germany then in Raetia where he inflicts a severe defeat on the Germanic peoples, in Thrace where he crushes the Sarmatians and the Scythians, in Asia Minor which he cleanses of looters and pirates from Pamphylia, finally in Africa where he puts an end to incursions of the Blemmyes. In 280 he signed peace with Vahram II, Sassanid monarch. He has to face the encroachments of Saturnin, Bonose and Proculus. Probus, having triumphed over all his opponents, returned to Rome in 281 and celebrated his victories. Before preparing a new expedition against the Sassanids, he fell to the blows of his own soldiers at Sirmium in 282.
Lot # 3917 - Valentinian II AD 375-392. Siscia Follis Æ 14,7 x 14,9 mm. 1,25 g D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, draped, cuirassed and pearl-diademed bust right / VICTOR IA AVGGG / ASIS, Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm-branch. aEF. Green patina   Valentinian II, ascending to the throne of the Roman Empire in AD 375, was a pivotal figure during a tumultuous period in Roman history. Born in AD 371, he inherited the mantle of emperor upon the death of his father, Valentinian I, at a tender age. As a result, his rule was initially guided by regents and influential advisors. During Valentinian II's reign, the Roman Empire was deeply divided. He ruled over the western provinces, while his brother Valens governed the eastern territories. This division underscored the immense challenges of managing an empire stretched to its geographical and administrative limits. A defining aspect of Valentinian II's reign was the religious conflict between Nicene Christianity and Arianism. Although raised in the Nicene Christian faith, his mother held sympathies for Arianism, leading to religious tensions that reverberated throughout his rule. Powerful advisors and generals, notably figures like Arbogast, exerted substantial influence over Valentinian II's decisions and policies. Their sway over imperial affairs showcased the complexities of governance during this period. Tragically, Valentinian II's life ended abruptly and under mysterious circumstances in AD 392, possibly by his own hand. His death marked the conclusion of the Valentinian Dynasty, as the western and eastern halves of the Roman Empire continued to chart their separate courses.