Description
| Roman Imperial, Divus Claudius II, Died 270, AR Antonianus (silver, 1.2g, 17.6mm), Contemporary Imitations of the 3rd Century (?) | |
| Obv: Radiate head of Divus Claudius II to right | |
| Rev: CONSECRATIO; Lighted altar | |
| Ref: This coin could not be located in any standard numismatic reference work | Rarity/Choice: Probably One of a Kind; VF (irregular flan) |
| Note: Divus Claudius II, also known as Claudius Gothicus, was a Roman emperor who ruled from AD 268 to 270. He is best remembered for his military victories against the Goths, which earned him the title “Gothicus.” Claudius II’s reign, though brief, was marked by efforts to stabilize the empire during a period of significant internal and external turmoil. He died of plague in AD 270, after which he was deified by the Roman Senate. Contemporary imitations, particularly during the Roman Empire, refer to unofficial copies of official coins. These imitations were often produced to supplement the currency in circulation for various reasons, such as a shortage of official coins or economic necessity. Here’s a more detailed look at these imitations; Reasons for Contemporary Imitations: -Currency Shortage: During times of economic crisis, war, or administrative inefficiencies, official mints might not produce enough coins to meet demand. Imitations helped fill the gap. -Local Economic Needs: In distant provinces or regions where official coinage was scarce, local authorities or private individuals might produce imitations to facilitate trade and daily transactions. -Profit: Counterfeiters could profit by producing coins with less silver or gold content than official issues, circulating them at face value. During the era of Divus Claudius II, contemporary imitations of Roman coins were prevalent. These included “barbarous radiates,” which were unofficial imitations of radiate coins (Antoninianus) produced during the Crisis of the Third Century, particularly in the breakaway Gallic Empire. These coins were often crudely made, with noticeable deviations in design and lower metal content and or deviated from official weight usually negatively. |
