UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 20 mm, 5.68 g, 12 h), 'Probus Group G'. Imitating Probus, 276-282. ИИИ PCOOONS F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Probus to right. Rev. CONVIWCOPIIC / II Concordia (or emperor?), helmeted, seated left, holding 'globe' in her right hand. Original suspension loop attached. Scrape on the obverse and with some minor scratches, otherwise, very fine.
From the Aurum Barbarorum Collection.
In contrast from the previous pieces that show a plain laureate bust of Probus, this 'aureus' also features a lovely reverse, with a female deity seated to the left and holding a globe. The blundered legend perhaps indicates that this is supposed to be a rendering of Concordia, whose patera was turned into a globe, who is, apparently, wearing a helmet, and whose cornucopiae has disappeared. Alternatively, it might instead copy an emperor seated to the left on a curule chair and holding a Victory on a globe, as shown on aurei of Diocletian and Maximianus (f.e. Calicó 4437). In this case, the Os in the garbled reverse legend are derived, instead of 'CONCORDIA', of 'CONSVL' and 'PRO COS'.
Price realized | 2'000 CHF |
Starting price | 400 CHF |
Estimate | 500 CHF |