UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Quinarius' (Gold, 13 mm, 3.15 g, 11 h), 'Gordian Group'. Imitating Elagabalus, 218-222. IMP ANTONINVS AV Laureate, bearded and draped bust of Elagabalus to left. Rev. COS III Mercury standing front, head to left, holding purse in his right hand and caduceus in his left. Bertolami 15 (2015), 717 (same dies, but misdecribed as an official issue!). RIC 163B ('Barbarous style', thus likely referring to this issue, although the legend is given - perhaps erroneously - as ending on AVG). Sharp and very attractive, a beautiful piece with original suspension loop attached. A few very minor marks and scrapes, otherwise, good very fine.


Mercury was only rarely used as a reverse type on Roman imperial coins up until the reign of Trajan Decius (249-251), when he became one of the main types for his son Herennius Etruscus. The relationship between the god of commerce and communication and the Caesar is unknown, but it is very likely that the artist of the 'Gordian-group' had his coins in mind when he crafted the reverse die for this issue.