UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 20 mm, 6.09 g, 11 h), 'Probus Group F'. Imitating Probus, 276-282. ƆIHИIDIO ODꓷHIƆ Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Probus to left, holding spear over his right shoulder and shield on his left. Rev. [...] Probus standing front, head to left, extending his right hand and holding scepter in his left; around him, four suppliants, two standing, two kneeling. A highly interesting piece with an exceptional reverse. Holed and the reverse with some doubling and weakly struck, otherwise, fine.


The discovery of this piece is important, as it confirms the suggestion made by this cataloguer in Leu 4 that Aurum Barbarorum I, 808-809 was originally derived from Probus' extremely rare PACATOR ORBIS-issue (Calicó 4172) or the related VICTORIOSO SEMPER type (Calicó 4235), showing Probus amidst four defeated barbarian suppliants around him. This is an odd choice for a Germanic artist to copy, not only because of the rather unflattering image (to 'barbarians'), but also because of the extreme rarity of the prototype. However, with the emergence of this coin, there can be no doubt that at least one example reached the Gothic lands and was subsequently imitated by native artists.