Leu Numismatik

Auction 7  –  24 - 25 October 2020

Leu Numismatik, Auction 7

Celtic, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval and Islamic coins featuring the Aur...

Part 1: Sa, 24.10.2020, from 2:00 PM CEST
Part 2: Su, 25.10.2020, from 2:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.

Description

★ A beautiful abstract reverse ★

UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 20 mm, 5.70 g, 11 h), 'Ulów Group', O3/R3. Imitating Claudius II, 268-270, or Aurelian, 270-275. OИO∞И NOИBNTOIΓT Laureate, draped and cuirassed imperial bust to left. Rev. O III III The emperor, laureate, seated right, holding mace-like scepter in his right hand and crescent within circle of pellets in his left. Aurum Barbarborum I, -, cf. 805 ( same obverse die, but differing reverse). Bursche, Ulów, -, cf. figs. 1-2 and 9-11 ( same obverse die, but differing reverse types). A lovely example with a very interesting reverse. Holed, otherwise, good very fine.

From the Aurum Barbarorum Collection.

Decoding this lovely reverse is quite a challenge, as the artist combined various Roman motives into a new, decidedly Germanic image. The seated figure probably derives from depictions of seated gods, but its laureate head points toward an image of the emperor, whose scepter may have turned into this mace-like staff. The crescent within a circle of pellets, on the other hand, likely represents a hand holding a patera or a wreath.

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Bidding

Price realized 2'400 CHF
Starting price 280 CHF
Estimate 350 CHF
The auction is closed.
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