Tetricus II, Romano-Gallic Emperor, 273-274. Antoninianus (Bronze, 15 mm, 1.30 g, 12 h), a contemporary imitation, irregular mint, after 273. Sprinkler (or lituus) and jug; around, blundered legend. Rev. Sprinkler (or lituus) and jug; around, blundered legend. Cf. RIC V.4 772-81 (for possible prototype). Struck on a slightly short flan, otherwise, good very fine.


This piece is certainly among the most remarkable contemporary imitations of antoniniani of the Romano-Gallic emperors - which is saying something. It combines the reverse type with the priestly implements familiar from Tetricus II twice, yet the jug and lituus are rendered entirely differently: on one side both are ribbed, while on the other the lituus is smooth and the jug is dotted, giving it the appearance of a bunch of grapes.