UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Aurum Barbarorum. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 17 mm, 3.23 g, 12 h), 'Sleipnir Group'. ԷIԷИƆHOIOFObIBiꟼMC Laureate and cuirassed imperial bust to right. Rev. D-C[...]BԷ-DMHԷ Male figure with bird-like head in stylized biga to right. Aurum Barbarorum I, 816. Aurum Barbarorum II, 1909. Pierced and with some scratches and scrapes, and likely somewhat clipped, otherwise, very fine.


The abstract style of this piece is quite amazing. It clearly imitates the Victory-in-biga-aurei of the later barracks emperors, but the Germanic artist who cut the dies has managed to change the reverse into a wonderful piece of local art: we see a long-maned and bird-mouthed figure riding a chariot to the right, drawn by a wolf-headed, double-eared and eight-legged horse reminiscent of Sleipnir, the famous horse of Odin from medieval Norse mythology.