Barbarous Radiates, 3rd Century AD
AE 'Antoninianus', Mint in Britain or Gaul, 18mm, 2.35 grams
Obverse: Radiate head of emperor right, blundered legend around.
Reverse: Pax (?) standing left holding branch and cornucopia.
RCV Vol. III, pg. 413   The numismatic term 'barbarous radiates' refers to these unofficial coins made locally imitating antoninianii of the period. æThe crisis of the Third Century was a 50 year period of general anarchy for the Roman empire, generally starting with the death of Severus Alexander in 235 and ending with the reunification under Diocletian in 284. During this time the provinces experienced a severe lack of coinage. To fill the void small denomination coinage was unofficially issued in very large numbers. æThe die engravers, or celators, were obviously illiterate and of quite limited artistic capabilities. The end result is a fascinating series of coins with generally unreadable inscriptions and depictions of gods and goddesses with improper or mis-matched attributes.