Had this a good while. It feels huge in the hand. I like the portrait. Nice deep green colour, but little else going for it. I do like it though. Carausius (Augustus) Coin: Bronze Antoninianus IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG - Radiate right, draped and curraised PAX AVG - Pax standing left/olive branch and vertical sceptre Exergue: Mint: Camulodunum (287-293 AD) Wt./Size: 4.04g / 24mm References: RIC V-2, Camulodunum 303
Nice, yours has a bit of a better portrait then mine. Carausius (287 - 293 A.D.) Æ Antoninianus O: IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: PAX AVG, Pax standing left, holding olive-branch and sceptre; S in left field; P in right field. Camulodunum(?) Mint 4.53g 23mm RIC 475
I get the impressions with some of Carausius' coins that they flattened out the flans with a hammer prior to striking. Your coin looks like one of those. I could be wrong of course, but when I look at a bunch of Carausius ants on vcoins or acsearch, a lot of them just look like they were whacked with a hammer prior to striking.
I have another one somewhere in the "waiting to photo" pile. It is fairly grotty and my photography won't make him any better looking.
I agree but perhaps the hammer whack is a better idea than just striking over the previous coin (here a Victorinus). There are really nice looking, full flan, smooth surfaced coins of Carausius. When you see one, buy it.
@> Bing I think that you have one of the better examples that I have seen of this type. Here are a couple of mine.
I like to see coins of that dude, they often look strange but I like them. One of my dream coins (I missed two in the past, but was laaaaargely outbid) would be a denarius of his with the lupa romana reverse (one can dream....) Here are my actual Carausius antoninian (with an eroneous reverse legend), followed by my former example, sold a few years ago Carausius, Antoninianus Colchester mint ? IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG, radiate bust right MONITA (sic) AVG, Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia 3,64 gr Ref : RCV # 13629v, Cohen # 178 var, RIC, cf #867 Carausius, Antoninianus IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust of Carausius right PAX AVG, Pax standing left, holding spear and branch 4,44 gr Ref : RC #3580, Cohen #219 Q
Being new to the game I have a lot to learn. Can anyone please tell me the reason/theory as to why there are so many poor quality coins of Carausius (and even Allectus) when compared to other people who got their names on coins? I mean Diocletian and Constantius Chlorus both have an abundance of good quality coins available.
Best thing I remember about Carausius. Back in 1990s, a gardener (like me) was weeding a flowerbed at his wife constant nagging. So, he starts weeding, turning soil, up pops a perfect Aureus from this usurper. Unlike like me...who would have added it to mycollection, he sold it at Sothebys for back then 250,000 UK Pounds. Never happened to me yet, I unfortunately live in Canada, no Romans ever settled here....hence no coins.
Actually, strangely the AV coins of both usurpers are well designed/ minted. Same for the Gallic Empire coins. John
Funny you say that! I ended up married to her, because she was one of my lawn care clients, she either liked me, or the beautifull job I did on her lawn and flowerbeds, or both. Kinda neat though, I ended up selling my house, and moved into hers, used the $ from sale to buy COINS. Here is what it looks like where we live....back in January of this year, house/street.
