UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Aurum Barbarorum. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Subaeratus, 21 mm, 4.67 g, 12 h), 'Gordian Group'. Imitating Gordian III, 238-244. IMP GORDIVS AV Laureate, bearded and draped imperial bust to left with a draped female bust behind. Rev. [...]AH[.]IIƆ∾ƎC - [.] Hercules seated facing on rock, head turned to right, placing his left hand on club leaning against his right side and holding lion skin draped over his left leg with his right hand; to right, bow and quiver. Aurum Barbarorum -, cf. II, 1869 (same obverse die, but differing reverse type). Pierced and with breaks in plating, otherwise, about very fine.



The dates of the Aurum Barbarorum can be deduced from its Roman prototypes, as they provide the termini post quos for each imitation. Thus, while the obverse of this fascinating piece names Gordian III (238-244), its reverse is derived from a tetrarchic aureus of Maximianus struck in 293/4, underlining that the lead artist of the 'Gordian Group' worked in the late 3rd or early 4th century, and not earlier.