Is anyone able to identify the emperor? It might be Tetricus II? (It's certainly from around that time). Thank you
Definitely Tetricus II, and I'd wager it's an official issue. SPES AVGG reverse - one of the more common types for Tetricus Jr.
I'm not real familiar with these, but it looks official to me as well. There are several SPES types, per OCRE. http://numismatics.org/ocre/results...ntoninianus"+AND+portrait_facet:"Tetricus+II"
Looks real. TETRICUS II Antoninianus OBVERSE: C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES, radiate, draped bust right REVERSE: SPES AVGG, Spes walking left, holding flower and raising skirt Struck at Treveri, 272-273 AD 2.5g, 19mm RIC 270v
GALLIC EMPIRE Tetricus II, A.D. 273-274 AE antoninianus, 20mm, 2.8 grams, 12h Cologne mint Obverse: C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES Radiate, draped bust right Reverse: PRINC IV-VENT Tetricus II standing left holding branch and vertical sceptre Reference: RIC Vb 260, p. 423 ex: JAZ Numismatics
Official coins of this breakaway empire are often so crude, and barbarous imitations so numerous, that it's just about impossible to say with any certainty whether a coin is official or barbarous in most cases. It may not even be a meaningful distinction. It was such a chaotic time, people back then probably didn't care, including the emperors. Whatever was needed to keep the economy going was okay. Here's mine for comparison. Tetricus II Caesar, A.D. 273-274 Augustus, A.D. 274 Bronze Antoninianus Gallic Empire, unidentified southern mint Obv: C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES Rev: SPES AVG - Spes, walking left, holding flower and raising robe RIC 270 20x18mm, 2.5g.
