★ Hercules slaying Hydra? ★

UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 20 mm, 5.49 g, 12 h), 'Probus Group F'. Imitating Probus, 276-282. UDCMO OIOISIIC Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Probus to left, holding spear over his right shoulder and shield on his left. Rev. IIICTOEP[...]PSEMPEIB Stylized male figure standing left, holding uncertain small object in his right hand and large aegis-like object on a stick in his left. A lovely issue with a very interesting reverse. Original suspension loop broken off and holed, and with some scrapes on the obverse, otherwise, fine.

From the Aurum Barbarorum Collection.

There is, clearly, no straightforward Roman prototype for this odd reverse. However, there is an argument to be made that it is loosely derived from Maximianus' issue showing Hercules slaying Hydra (Calicó 4656 ff.), with the club the hero's club being reduced to a small round object and the monster to the aegis-shaped object on a stick.