Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 4 25 May 2019
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UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 19 mm, 5.64 g, 12 h), imitating one of the later barracks emperors. ԷISIIOIԷ[...]CCԷHHFMC Laureate and cuirassed imperial bust to right. Rev. O[...]II∾CCIICH∾IHԵ Male figure with bird-like head in stylized biga to right. A very interesting piece of wonderfully abstract style. Holed and with a few scrapes and scratches, otherwise, very fine.
From the Aurum Barbarorum Collection.
The abstract style of this piece is quite amazing. It clearly imitates the Victory-in-biga-aurei of the later barracks emperors, but the Germanic artist who cut the dies has managed to change the reverse into a wonderful piece of local art: we see a long-maned and bird-mouthed figure riding a chariot to the right, drawn by a wolf-headed, double-eared and eight-legged horse reminiscent of Sleipnir, the famous horse of Odin from medieval Norse mythology.
From the Aurum Barbarorum Collection.
The abstract style of this piece is quite amazing. It clearly imitates the Victory-in-biga-aurei of the later barracks emperors, but the Germanic artist who cut the dies has managed to change the reverse into a wonderful piece of local art: we see a long-maned and bird-mouthed figure riding a chariot to the right, drawn by a wolf-headed, double-eared and eight-legged horse reminiscent of Sleipnir, the famous horse of Odin from medieval Norse mythology.