UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Aurum Barbarorum. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 18 mm, 2.86 g, 12 h). OXИTMƆK∾∾K[...]TИOX Laureate imperial head to left. Rev. ∾ƆИ[.]TMΛOX Stylized secespita, aspergillum, guttus, lituus, and simpulum. A very unusual and interesting piece. Pierced and with some scratches, otherwise, very fine.


Collectors of Roman coins will immediately recognize the reverse type of this charming coin: it shows a stylized secespita, aspergillum, guttus, lituus, and simpulum, the emblems of the augurate and pontificate, which came to be associated with Roman Caesars in the 3rd century AD. Perhaps the type is derived from an aureus of Caracalla Caesar (Calicó 2817), but it is worth noting that it also occurs frequently on silver and bronze coins in the time of the Severans and the barracks emperors. There are no clear relatives for this particular coin, but it shares some stylistic similarities with Aurum Barbarorum II, 1863 and Aurum Barbarorum III, 2392.