1 Denarius - Imitating Diva Faustina Senior, 138-140

Historical Context: This denarius, an imitation of Diva Faustina Senior's Roman issue, reflects the complex interactions between the Roman Empire and Germanic tribes from approximately 175 to 275 AD. Faustina Senior, deified in 140 AD, was a prolific subject on Roman coinage. These imitations by uncertain Germanic tribes underscore the widespread adoption of Roman currency for trade or mercenary payments along imperial frontiers, particularly during the tumultuous Marcomannic Wars and the Crisis of the Third Century.

Artistry: The artistry of this imitation denarius, while inspired by official Roman prototypes, displays the distinctive hand of a non-Roman engraver. Lacking imperial mint training, the unknown tribal craftsman rendered Faustina Senior's portrait with characteristic simplification, often showing a more linear or abstracted representation of her draped bust and coiffure. The reverse design, likely a simplified Roman personification, would similarly depart from classical realism towards a more schematic, folk-art aesthetic, typical of barbarian imitations.

Technical/Grading: This imitation denarius (3.64 gg, 19 mm) exhibits technical qualities distinct from official Roman issues. Key grading high-points include definition of Faustina’s hair, facial features, and drapery on the obverse, plus the reverse figure's attributes. Strike quality is often inconsistent, characterized by off-center strikes, weak or flat areas, and irregular flans. Dies were frequently less precisely cut and prone to early wear, yielding less intricate detail than imperial counterparts, though the silver composition aligns with the original metal type.