Elpis -- Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt

Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt

Elpis was the Greek equivalent of the Roman Spes, the goddess of hope. She was traditionally defined as "the last goddess" (Spes, ultima dea), meaning that hope is the last resource available to men. Elpis personified hope for good harvests, and for children, and was invoked at births, marriages, and other important times.

Billon tetradrachm, Dattari 5533; Milne 4531; Curtis 1881; Geissen 3128; BMC Alexandria p. 313, 2417, aVF, Alexandria mint, weight 7.962g, maximum diameter 20.1mm, die axis 0o, 29 Aug 276 - 28 Aug 277 A.D.; obverse AK M AVP PPOBOC CEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right; reverse Elpis standing left, holding flower and raising skirt, date B / L left, year 2 of reign.

$125.00