Coin

"A K M AVP ╬áPOBOC CEBÔÇØ extends into ÔÇ£Autokrator Kaisaros Markos Aurelios Probos Sebastos,ÔÇØ and translates to ÔÇ£Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Probus AugustusÔÇØ; Tetradrachm (denomination); regnal year 2 (276-77). When Rome conquered Egypt, it preserved the closed currency system already in place there, as well as the local designs of coinage; the use of Greek mythological figures paid respect to local traditions, while the depiction of the emperor tied the coin to Roman authority. These Greek-style coins, called ÔÇ£Alexandrian CoinsÔÇØ, circulated only within Egypt. Merchants and other travellers had to exchange their coinage at the border. At the time this coin was made, Alexandrian coins were severely degraded in value and quality. Tetradrachms like this one were originally a valuable denomination made up of silver, but by the time of this coinÔÇÖs minting, they were the most common coin and were mostly bronze.

References: Koln 3128; Dattari 5533; Milne 4531; Emmett 3987.

Roman coin of Probus (276-282). Obverse: bust of an emperor, facing right; he wears a laurel crown; to left, inscription is (in Greek) A K M AUR PROBOS SEB. Obverse: draped figure (Elpis, Greek spirit of Hope), standing to left, lifting hem of chiton with one hand, to right, holding flower; to left, inscription 'L / B'.