Comment

The prototype of this imitative issue was minted 347-48 in the name of Constantius II and Constans in the western and Balkan mints (Trier, Lugdunum, Arelate, Rome, Aquileia, Siscia and Thessalonica).

When the coinage became severely de-based in the middle of the 3rd century, the essentially base metal coinage was 'silvered' to give it the appearance of silver coins. This carried on into the 4th century although the silvering seldom remains on coins that have lasted 1700 years. It is therefore surprising to find an imitative coin that (a) was silvered in the first place and (b) that has retained it's silvering.