UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Quinarius' (Gold, 16 mm, 3.11 g, 12 h), 'Figural Group'. Imitating Diocletian, 284-305. IƐƆEƆƆ[.]mmCƆE[.] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Diocletian to right. Rev. CEWE Jupiter standing front, head to left, holding Victory presenting wreath in his right hand and long transverse scepter in his left; to left and right, two small figures standing left, raising both hands; in exergue, four pellets. Aurum Barbarorum I, 810 (same dies, but misdescribed). Holed and with some scrapes, otherwise, about very fine.


When the first example of this type appeared in Leu 4, it was misinterpreted by this cataloguer due to its very poor condition. The present piece, however, reveals that the reverse was likely derived from an aureus of Diocletian (Calicó 4482-4487): it is the 'quinarius' to the 'aureus' in Aurum Barbarorum I, 821, the dies of which were clearly cut by the same artist.