UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Quinarius' (Gold, 17 mm, 4.95 g, 11 h), 'Bear Group'. IIOIIIIIO IIIIIIIOΠ Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed imperial bust to right, seen from behind. Rev. ΛΛIIΛΛIIIΛΛΛИIIYΛΛΩII Stylized figure seated left, extending claw-like right hand. Holed and the flan somewhat wavy, otherwise, good very fine.


Connected through its obverse die to the famous bear issue (see Aurum Barbarorum I, 823 and Aurum Barbarorum II, 1891), the reverse of this lovely coin is reminiscent of Aurum Barbarorum II, 1882. That coin also shows a highly stylized figure on the reverse, perhaps the emperor, with a similarly extended claw-like right hand and a single leg, seated to the left on a chair with a square back perhaps symbolizing the left arm and a vertical scepter. It is clearly derived from the present issue.