UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Aurum Barbarorum. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Subaeratus, 20 mm, 2.85 g, 12 h), 'Plated Group'. IIOIIIIOIIOIIIIIIIIO Large draped and cuirassed imperial bust to right; before and behind, two other, smaller heads to right; all portraits laureate and bearded; below the busts, line of four pellets between six annulets on the left and five on the right; above the small head on the left, three annulets. Rev. DLISHPIIOHO[...]∾IIO Securitas seated left, holding scepter in her right hand and leaning her head on her left. Aurum Barbarorum II, 1911 (same dies). Pierced and with breaks in plating, otherwise, about very fine.


What makes this issue quite exceptional is the spectacular obverse: it features a large imperial bust between two much smaller ones on the left and on the right. Clearly this is a Germanic interpretation of a particular dynastic rule in the Roman Empire, most likely that of Carus with Carinus and Numerian (282-283), as the other possibilities are either too early (such as Valerian with Gallienus and Valerian II or Saloninus), or too unlikely (such as Diocletian with Maximian and Carausius). There exists no direct Roman prototype for such a curious obverse, but the Germanic artist presumably got inspired by the occasional dynastic celebration issues showing two or even three portraits arranged in various, though different fashions. The reverse, on the other hand, is the usual seated Securitas derived from aurei of Probus.