UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Aurum Barbarorum. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Quinarius' (Gold, 15 mm, 2.03 g). Male imperial head to right, with three incuse ribbons emerging from his head; all within border of incuse pellets; all set in a decorative mount. Rev. Blank. Suspension loop broken off and with some bangs and scratches, otherwise, very fine.


What a curious piece this is! The obverse vaguely copies a Roman imperial portrait; however, it is devoid of any legends, and the reverse was left completely blank. Furthermore, the portrait was apparently crudely cast in relief, and then sharpened and engraved in incuse. Clearly the creator of this highly unusual piece did not bother too much to make it look like a Roman coin, probably because we are far enough in geographical distance and time for its intended bearer not to care whether he hung around his neck a pendant looking very much like a Roman aureus, or simply a small piece of decorative gold with a crudely devolved portrait.