UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 19 mm, 3.26 g, 12 h), 'Bulky Head Group'. Imitating Diocletian, 284-305, or Maximianus, 286-305. [...]IIIΞƆSDƆSIIIIIIIIII[...]IIIIIDIIIDSIII Laureate head of Diocletian or Maximianus to left, mouth wide open; below, four annulets. Rev. SSSSS[.]SSSSSSS Diocletian or Maximianus on horseback to right, holding lance in his right hand. Holed and with some scratches, otherwise, very fine.


Perhaps the artist thought of a Roman prototype showing the emperor charging on horseback and spearing an enemy when crafting this reverse, as on R1 of the 'Ulów Group' (see above, lots 1892-1894). In any case, what stands out still more about this coin is the dramatic rendering of the portrait, which shows the emperor with his mouth and eyes wide open, giving him a terrified look.