UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 21 mm, 5.76 g, 12 h), 'Probus Group C'. Imitating Probus, 276-282. IMP PRYO [.]OΞIIIC Laureate and cuirassed bust of Probus to left, holding spear over his right shoulder. Rev. ID[...]IOII / IOICI Victory driving slow quadriga to left, holding wreath in her right hand and reins in her left. Cf. Calicó 4222 ff. (for prototypes). An exceptional piece with a very attractive portrait. Holed, otherwise, good very fine.


The artist who crafted these beautiful dies followed his predecessors (see above, lots 1900-1903), but he clearly had difficulties with the Latin legends, and he also replaced the helmeted bust with spear and shield with a simpler laureate portrait with spear only as on Calicó 4209.