Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Denarius (Subaeratus, 18 mm, 3.72 g, 6 h), a contemporary plated imitation. Irregular mint, after 138-139. ΛNTONINVS ΛVC PI P P Bare head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. TRI POT I CS II Felicitas standing front, head to right, holding caduceus in her left hand and grain ears (?) in her right. Cf. BMC 96, Cohen 851 and RIC 48 (for possible prototype). Beautifully toned and of very charming imitative style. Thin surface cracks and minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.
The vast majority of plated Roman denarii were produced as counterfeits within the Empire. Stylistically, they vary considerably in quality, but generally adhere as closely as possible to the official prototypes they imitate. The present piece likewise attempts to do so, yet its very charming and and irregular style is reminiscent of Germanic imitations produced beyond the limes. It is therefore entirely conceivable, though impossible to prove, that this coin is a Germanic imitation