UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 20 mm, 4.65 g, 6 h), 'Bulky Head Group'. Imitating Diocletian, 284-305, or Maximianus, 286-305. mΛΩXZΞΩ ΩΞZIΛΩ Laureate head of Diocletian or Maximianus to left. Rev. HFCIVSL[...]TSTΛm Fecunditas standing front, head to left, holding two infants in her arms; on either side, two other children standing left and right, raising one hand toward the goddess. A curious and interesting piece. Holed and with a die break on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.


This piece differs significantly from the first three coins in the 'Bulky Head Group': it has a somewhat similar clumsy shape of the head, but the thick neck is quite different and the slit eye high up on the nose makes it look like the portrait of a Cyclops. What is even more curious, however, is the singular choice of the reverse type, which is derived from an aureus of Faustina Junior (Calicó 2052)!