Antoninianus of Tetricus I, Barbarous Imitation c. 3th century

Curator: What strikes me first is the crudeness of the engraving. It almost feels abstracted, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed. This is an Antoninianus of Tetricus I, but a “barbarous imitation.” Think of it less as a portrait and more as a symptom of a broader imperial crisis. Coins like these circulated during periods of instability. Curator: Note the die work, though. The blundered inscription and the schematics that stand in for a traditional portrait contribute to a wholly new visual language, abstracted from the formal Roman style. Editor: Exactly! It’s fascinating how political upheaval manifests materially, even on something as small as a coin. These imitations reveal the economic and political anxieties of the time. Curator: One could say the form itself embodies the fracturing of power; the loss of detail echoes the diminishment of the empire’s reach. Editor: Absolutely. It speaks volumes about the decentralization of authority during that period. Curator: Despite its imperfections, there's a certain stark beauty to this piece. It is a raw, almost brutal statement. Editor: Agreed. This coin is more than just currency; it's a tangible piece of history, a testament to a shifting world order.