Catalog
| Issuer | Uncertain Germanic tribes |
|---|---|
| Year | 270-325 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Value | 1 Quinarius = 1/2 Aureus |
| Currency | Aureus (circa 150-325) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 1.99 g |
| Diameter | 13 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) |
| Obverse description | Laureate bust facing left surrounded by legend. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | IMP AVR |
| Reverse description | Eagle facing right with wings spread, all surrounded by legend. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | AII - SMI |
| Edge | Smooth. |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (270-325) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1014742600 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: Aurelian (270-275 CE) reigned during the tumultuous Crisis of the Third Century, a period marked by political instability and barbarian incursions. His efforts to restore the Roman Empire, earning him the title "Restitutor Orbis," were critical. This gold quinarius, issued by uncertain Germanic tribes between 270 and 325 CE, signifies the complex economic and cultural interaction at the Roman frontiers. Such imitations, often found in barbarian hoards, served as currency in regions beyond direct Roman control, reflecting both the prestige of Roman coinage and the tribes' need for circulating medium.
Artistry: The engraver of this piece remains anonymous, characteristic of these frontier issues. The stylistic school is decidedly "barbaric imitation," where the original Roman prototype, likely an aureus or quinarius of Aurelian, is rendered with varying degrees of fidelity and skill. The design, while recognizable as Aurelian, often exhibits a cruder, more abstract interpretation of his portrait, with simplified features and a less refined legend. This reflects a non-Roman artistic sensibility and a practical focus on functionality over precise aesthetic replication.
Technical/Grading: This gold quinarius, weighing 1.99 grams and measuring 13 mm, is a testament to the metallurgical and striking capabilities of its Germanic producers. High-points on such pieces typically include the emperor's nose, chin, and the highest strands of hair, which are often weakly struck or flattened due to hurried production and less sophisticated dies. Technical strike qualities frequently reveal off-center strikes, irregular flan shapes, and variable metal purity, common characteristics of these fascinating, yet technically challenging, imitative issues.