A Real Fake?

At the same time that debasement became more common, unrest was gripping parts of the Roman Empire and false Emperors tried to take control. One way that these Emperors tried to show their authority was by minting their own coins. 

Coin 6 is an example of one such coin, called a 'barbarous radiate' after the distinctive radiate crown worn by the Emperor. Usurpers imitated official Roman currency to support their own agendas, committing acts of 'political forgery'.