Germanic tribe (Goths); AR Denarius - imitation from the Antonine dynasty period; barbaric mint; 2nd half of the 3rd/4th century AD or later.
Obv. Laureate head of an emperor (possibly Commodus) to the right. Pseudo-legend (heavily barbarized).
Rv. A male figure standing to the right, holding long objects in both hands (scepters? spears? legionary standards?). Pseudo-legend (heavily barbarized).
Silver, 2.67 g, 16.5/19 mm, 6h. See Anokhin 349 and 1471, both with the same reverse.
Grade: Good VF, thick patina. Exceptionally well-preserved, considering this type of coin. Rare.
This is a barbarian imitation of a Roman denarius. The original coin or coins were treated quite freely, and the original depictions and legends were heavily distorted. The latter do not form a coherent inscription; they are more of a decorative element. In the portrait, elements of Marcus Aurelius or Commodus can be observed. The personification on the reverse is likely a fusion of several different elements, arbitrarily combined into one whole. This is a Germanic product, most likely Gothic. The degree of barbarization suggests a late dating, no earlier than the end of the 3rd century AD.
