UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Aurum Barbarorum. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. Aureus (Subaeratus, 21 mm, 3.34 g, 12 h), 'Plated Group'. Imitating Antoninus Pius (138-161) or Marcus Aurelius (161-180). -o∾CIn∾o[...]oI∾ƆoΛI∾-∾ Laureate head of Antoninus Pius or Marcus Aurelius to right. Rev. PZƆXXƆIIƆXZXXCXZIX Male figure standing facing, extending his left arm and placing his right hand on his hip. Holed and with some breaks in plating, otherwise, very fine.


Exactly what this attractive piece imitates is difficult to say. The head is reminiscent of Antoninus Pius or Marcus Aurelius, whereas the reverse figure perhaps is a distant copy of Marcus' Honos issues. Alternatively, the head may also be derived from later emperors such as Caracalla, Probus or the tetrarchs.