EMPEROR PROBUS (276-282 AD) Master Vintner and Father of Modern Europe’s Wine Industry

The Story: Marcus Aurelius Probus rose through the ranks of the Roman military, achieving considerable success while defending Rome’s frontiers against Germanic tribes. He was appointed Governor of the East by Tacitus, whose death in 276 prompted Probus' soldiers to proclaim him emperor. However, Probus is best known for establishing the vineyards and their fine wines that still flourish today in dozens of appellations throughout Northern Europe.

The Wine Emperor - Probus annulled the edict of Emperor Domitian. It was that cruel order in 92 AD that resulted in the destruction of Northern vines and officially prohibited for nearly two centuries the planting of grape vines in the Roman Empire. Probus’ new orders now encouraged the planting of new vines in these northern Roman colonies. Furthermore, he began planting in earnest.

Probus’ Agrarian Army- Probus believed that a good army was a busy army and an idle army was dangerous. During the six years of his reign, his strategy was to employ troops in times of peace to perform useful works. Among the civic works Probus initiated, he employed his soldiers to plant grape vines extensively throughout the now famous Northern wine regions in that were demolished by war.

Probus’ Demise- Unfortunately for Probus, his military-farming missions did not always sit well with his hardened troops, who much preferred the glory of battle over the hot, back breaking “peasant work” of planting vines. On one particularly hot day in the Fall of 282, a mutiny broke out. A contingent of his soldiers chased Probus into a tower and killed him.

Even though wine making put an end to Probus’ life, it made him famous. He was directly responsible for the origins of several grape varieties now grown worldwide. Probus’ vines have made wine regions famous throughout France, Czech Republic and Germany. Today, Probus’ is remembered by famous wine labels that bear his name.

The Coin: Continuing the monetary reform of Aurelian, Probus issued many different, well crafted coin designs that featured a wide variety of reverses and portrait types during his rule. The obverses of his coins display profile busts of Probus wearing either a helmet or a crown. The most common of his imperial issues was the antoninianus--a coin of mostly bronze with minor silver content.

Data: Weight: 3.0-3.8 grams; Diameter: 21-24 mm. Box measures: 3.87” X 3.87” X 1.25” Order code: PROBUSBOX

All coins in each set are protected in an archival capsule and beautifully displayed in a mahogany-like box. The box set is accompanied with a story card, certificate of authenticity, and a black embossed gift box.

Coin type and grade may vary somewhat from image