UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 18 mm, 3.85 g, 12 h), imitating Probus, 276-282. X X X X - X E X X X Laureate bust of Probus to left, wearing imperial mantle and holding eagle-tipped scepter in his right hand. Rev. ECM CE CEICEIESO / MISEM Probus standing front, head to left, holding scepter in his left hand and placing his right on a stylized shield; to left, two figures with raised hands; to right, another heavily stylized figure, presenting an uncertain object to the emperor. A lovely and very interesting imitation with original suspension loop attached. The reverse with light doubling and a minor scrape, otherwise, good very fine.


This beautiful imitation is perhaps a copy of Probus' PACATOR ORBIS-issue (Calicó 4172), which shows the emperor amidst four defeated Barbarians kneeling before him - certainly an unusual choice, as the Roman prototype is not only extremely rare, but also unflattering to any 'barbarian'. We can only assume that the die cutter did not understand the meaning of the original issue, or that it for some reason did not concern him.