UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Subaeratus, 21 mm, 5.57 g, 12 h), 'Tetrarchic Consul Group B'. Imitating Maximianus, 286-305. SIIIIXIIIIIIIIVS IIVIVSTVS ONΔVOND Laureate head of Maximianus to left. Rev. COIIƧVIIII DD PRO COS Maximianus seated to left on curule chair, holding Victory on globe in his right hand and scepter in his left. Original suspension loop broken off and with minor breaks in plating, otherwise, very fine.



The prototype for this coin is easily recognizable in Maximianus' extensive series of aurei struck during his 8th consulship. An odd detail is the long imitative obverse legend, which adds another series of letters after the emperor's name, as if to fill the gap between name and title. Clearly this Germanic artist did not understand the meaning of what he was reproducing and saw the letters mainly as decorations.