Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 7 24-25 Oct 2020
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UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 19 mm, 3.26 g, 12 h), 'Bulky Head Group'. Imitating Diocletian, 284-305, or Maximianus, 286-305. [...]IIIΞƆSDƆSIIIIIIIIII[...]IIIIIDIIIDSIII Laureate head of Diocletian or Maximianus to left, mouth wide open; below, four annulets. Rev. SSSSS[.]SSSSSSS Diocletian or Maximianus on horseback to right, holding lance in his right hand. Holed and with some scratches, otherwise, very fine.
From the Aurum Barbarorum Collection.
Perhaps the artist thought of a Roman prototype showing the emperor charging on horseback and spearing an enemy when crafting this reverse, as on R1 of the 'Ulów Group' (see above, lots 1892-1894). In any case, what stands out still more about this coin is the dramatic rendering of the portrait, which shows the emperor with his mouth and eyes wide open, giving him a terrified look.
From the Aurum Barbarorum Collection.
Perhaps the artist thought of a Roman prototype showing the emperor charging on horseback and spearing an enemy when crafting this reverse, as on R1 of the 'Ulów Group' (see above, lots 1892-1894). In any case, what stands out still more about this coin is the dramatic rendering of the portrait, which shows the emperor with his mouth and eyes wide open, giving him a terrified look.