ROMAN BRITAIN (Potentially). Barbarous radiate, imitating Tetricus I or II. Late 3rd century A.D. Æ. 1.01 gm. 13 mm. Radiate head right / Spes advancing right, holding flower and hem of skirt(?). Good Very Fine; green patina. An interesting and attractive little coin.

Barbarous radiates imitated antoninanii, and were issued privately both inside and outside the Empire to fill the need for small change that the official Roman mints did not satisfy. They range from close imitations of official coinage, to much degraded interpretations, but a clear radiate crown is a common theme. (For further information see Hill, P. "Barbarous Radiates" Imitations of Third-Century Roman Coins. Numismatic Notes and Monographs 112. 1949.)