UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Mid 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 21 mm, 6.63 g, 12 h), 'Stern Group'. Imitating a 1st century emperor. ΛCΛKΛCΛΛ CCAASΛOΛC Laureate imperial head to right. Rev. ONO CΛZ / C Female figure standing facing, holding spear or palm in her right hand and uncertain object in her left. Holed and with some minor scrapes, otherwise, very fine.


It is hardly surprising that imitations of 1st century aurei are very rare among the Aurum Barbarorum: due to their higher weight and purity, they would long have been melted down before the mid 3rd century and hence not have reached the 'Barbaricum'. This piece perhaps shows a portrait of Tiberius or Caligula, but the crude style and blundered legends prevent a final identification. The reverse might be a distant copy of an Antonine Hilaritas-reverse.