UNCERTAIN TRIBES. 3rd-4th centuries. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 1.00 g, 6 h), imitating Antoninus Pius (138-161). Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right; around, blundered legend. Rev. ΦPVOCΛOI - Δ - [.]OΓ[...] Female figure standing front, head to left, holding patera in her right hand and scepter (?) in her left; all within incuse square; in field to left, countermark: bee within rectangular incuse. A highly unusual imitation. Light doubling and with an edge chip, otherwise, about very fine.


This highly unorthodox imitation is notable not only for its interesting bee countermark but also for the distinctive treatment of the reverse: the vertical legends framed within a rectangular incuse are evocative of Greek coins, a resemblance further underscored by the presence of the Ephesian bee. It is conceivable that the ‘barbarian’ artisan had been exposed to such coin types and, as a result, integrated disparate motifs and techniques into his work.