UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 19 mm, 3.22 g, 1 h), 'Bulky Head Group'. Imitating Diocletian, 284-305, or Maximianus, 286-305. IHVHNNNHИHИ IHNHH[...] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Diocletian or Maximianus to left. Rev. [...]APOINPN[...]HIOИNИ[...]S∾S Diocletian or Maximianus on horseback to left, heavily stylized, raising his right hand in salute. A very charming piece of beautifully Germanic style. Holed and with light scrapes, otherwise, good very fine.


The reverse on this delightful issue reminds this cataloguer so much of the 2nd century Celtic 'Kroisbach mit Reiterstumpf'-tetradrachms! Clearly there is no such link historically, but the abstraction of the rigid Roman motive to a disjointed, distinctively Germanic version, with a small, large-headed emperor riding an adorable horse with legs ending in annulets, is certainly similar as an idea and captivating from an artistic viewpoint.