UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 22 mm, 5.76 g, 12 h), 'Probus Group A'. Imitating Probus, 276-282. IMD C M HIIR PROBIIS P F AVG Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Probus to left, holding spear over his right shoulder and shield on his left. Rev. IIICTORIHE / AVC Victory driving slow quadriga to left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left. Cf. Calicó 4230 (for prototype). Sergeev 231. Holed and with numerous casting bubbles on the plating, otherwise, very fine.

From the Aurum Barbarorum Collection.

Like lot 1868 above, the plating on this example was likely applied by dipping the struck bronze core into molten electrum, which resulted in soft and blurry devices with many casting bubbles. It must have been produced after its die-matching predecessors, by a different workshop using less advanced techniques. It is worth noting, in this regard, that the elaborate suspension loop was also replaced by much simpler plain perforation.