UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 19 mm, 6.94 g, 6 h), 'Early Group B'. Imitating Antoninus Pius, 138-161. CΛIIIIΛC[...]IΔΛΟSCSΛ Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. CONSACRATIO NES Antoninus Pius, togate and veiled, standing front, head to left, sacrificing out of his right hand over tripod altar and holding roll in his left. An unusual and interesting piece. Holed and with some light scratches, otherwise, very fine.


'Early Group B' differs from the other pieces in being much more stylized. This unusual coin is derived from a common aureus of Antoninus Pius showing the emperor performing a sacrifice over a tripod on the reverse (cf. Calicó 1714). However, the artist oddly added the legend from a consecration issue to the type, whereas the obverse legend is totally blundered.