UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Aurum Barbarorum. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Quinarius' (Electrum, 14 mm, 2.54 g, 12 h), 'Gordian Group'. Imitating Gordian III, 238-244. IMP GORDIANVS Laureate and draped bust of Gordian III to left. Rev. SLΔIAQVILASIID Eagle standing right with spread wings. Aurum Barbarorum III, 2387 (same dies). Traces of mounting and with a die break on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.



The dies of this small coin were crafted by the same artist who worked on the wonderful jugate 'aureus' in Aurum Barbarorum II, 1869, the cover piece, as well as on Aurum Barbarorum III, 2386. Originally believed to copy Roman consecration issues, the eagle is in fact likely derived from tetradrachms from Antiochia on the Orontes in Syria (see Aurum Barbarborum II, 1870-1871).