ROMAN EMPIRE USURPERS

The political and military turmoil of the third century spawned numerous external assaults on the Roman Empire. One of these was the incessant seafaring piracy in the waters surrounding the Roman occupied island outpost of Britain. In 286 Maximian Herculius, in his capacity as Dyarch Augustus of the West, designated a highly regarded military commander named Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius, of Flemish descent, to head a fleet of ships who's mission was to eliminate, or at least severely curtail, this piracy. Carausius had distinguished himself by outstanding leadership and military prowess, especially as a naval "Admiral", in the Gallic campaigns. Carausius established his operational base at the coastal city of Boulogne (Gesoriacum) in Roman occupied northern Gaul. Carausius did indeed accomplish his mission, but reports of corruption and extortion led Maximian Herculius to dispatch a fleet of ships in order to remove Carausius from command. However, Carausius proved too strong and he repulsed the attack.

Carausius - Usurper Augustus of Secessionist Britain

Carausius subsequently used his continental base to launch an invasion force to occupy and subjugate Britain. Landing in the north, Carausius secured the support of the native Picts and, advancing south, confronted and defeated the forces of the Roman Governor. Having thus conquered the Island, he proclaimed himself Augustus of a Secessionist Britain, becoming an effective and efficient Administrator using the Roman Imperial governmental framework as a model. He maintained control of Boulogne and coastal northern Gaul.

The Mints of Carausius

Carausius established two Britannic mints - a primary one at London (Londinium) and one at Colchester/Camulodunum/Clausentum - "C" Mint - plus a ContinentaL mint across the Channel in Gaul These mints produced coins of distinctive style in gold, silver and bronze (mostly antoniniani).

SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:

RIC V (2), Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 355:


IMP C CARAVSIVS P AVG .............................................. PAX - A - VGGG | S .....P |
C in reverse exergue

Coin reverse legend ends in AVGGG - an attempt by Carausius to indicate that he, Diocletian and Maximian Heculius were a fraternity of co-equal Roman Emperors - not accepted by them.
Draped, radiate, bust
Colchester (Camulodunum/Clausentum) - "C" Mint
3.8 gm.

RIC V (2), Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 475:


IMP C CARAVSIVS PF AVG ......................................... PA - X - AVG | S .....P

Draped, radiate, bust
London Mint.
3.9 gm.

Allectus - Successor Usurper Augustus of Secessionist Britain

In AD 293, Allectus, the chief (finance?) minister of Carausius, assassinated him (or orchestrated his assassination) and proclaimed himself Augustus of Secessionist Britain. He continued to operate the British Carausian mints but added a new AE denomination: Quinarius (half antoninianus) which was a copper coin of reduced size bearing the letter Q in the exergue, which has been interpreted to mean Quinarius (half antoninianus).

SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:

RIC V (2), Allectus, Antoninianus, No. 33:


IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG ............................. PA - X - AVG ..... S (Pax standing left) A
M L in reverse exergue.

Cuirassed, radiate, bust
London mint
5.1 gm.

RIC V (2), Allectus, Quinarius, No. 55:


IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG ............................. VIRTVS AVG ..... (Galley)
Q L in reverse exergue.

Allectus "Q" coin issue - The reverse depicts a Roman galley - symbolic of the dominant sea power emphasized by the Usurper Augusti.
Cuirassed, radiate, bust
London Mint.
2.8 gm.

 

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In another attempt to represent that he, Diocletian and Maximian Herculius (Maximianus) were a fraternity of legitimate co-equal Augusti, Carausius struck a series of antoniniani in their names. These coins are quite rare (or at least hard to come by) and very collectible. Following are some example coins:

RIC V (2), Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 5


IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P AVG .............................................. PAX AVGGG | S P
M L XXXI

Cuirassed, radiate, bust
London Mint.
Struck by Carausius in the name of Diocletian.
3.8 gm.

RIC V (2), Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 20


IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P AVG ....................................... PAX AVGGG | S P
C in reverse exergue

Cuirassed, radiate, bust
Colchester (Camulodunum/Clausentum) - "C" Mint.
Struck by Carausius in the name of Diocletian.
3.4 gm.

RIC V (2), Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 34


IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG .............................................. PAX AVGGG | S P
M L XXXI in reverse exergue

Cuirassed, radiate, bust
London Mint.
Struck by Carausius in the name of Maximian Herculius (Maximianus).
3.95 gm.

RIC V (2), Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 434


IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG .............................................. PAX AVGGG | S P
M L XXXI in reverse exergue

Cuirassed, radiate, bust
London Mint.
Struck by Carausius in the name of Maximian Herculius (Maximianus).
3.8 gm.

 

For the whole story:

 

My small contribution to this thread, with my newest coin:

Victorinus Billon Antoninianus.
RIC 67. A beautiful coin!
(and with green eyes...)

 

Here's my first usurper coin, a Magnentius from Arles.

 

It is very nice to see so many (often quite rare) Usurper coins gathered together in one place. Thanks to everyone who has posted photos of their coins.

 

Great coins all.

Magnetius:

 

Jovinus, siliqua.
Mint : Lyon.
Ric 1716.
Weight : 1,37gr.

It's my only usurper... for now

 

"Nepotian was missed too! Does anyone have a Nepotian?"

[Raises hand] :- )


I scored this one earlier this year. I got lucky that several other Neppies were at auction so that removed a bit of the bidding heat.

The definition of a usurper is somewhat fluid but, in the simplest terms, mine would be that the ruler was never recognized in Rome (for Roman coins obviously). By this account Nepotian wouldn't be, strictly speaking, a usurper since his rebellion sprang within Rome. If you think about it, the list of usurpers would be very long otherwise. This is of course debatable but some of the most famous Roman emperors won their throne by rebelling against a sitting emperor. Among these Vespasian, Septimius Severus, Diocletian and Constantine I. Others gained the throne without rebellion but through underhanded means like Nero, Philip I, Claudius II.... even the reigns of Hadrian and Caligula started under heavy suspicion of illegitimacy. The only common denominator among these guys is that they controlled Rome and the Senate had no choice but to ratify their claims.

The reigns of Postumus through Tetricus, and that of Carausius and Allectus, were not technically usurpers. They were secessionists who led breakaway provinces which were later reabsorbed.

In any case, here are a few more usurpers from my collection who were never recognized in the capital.

Clodius Macer (rebelled in Carthage then slain by an assassin soon after)


Jotapian and Pacatian who rebelled against Trajan Decius



Julian I who rebelled in 284 after the death of Carinus but was bested by Diocletian


And (stepping into the Byzantine age) Leontius I who rebelled against Zeno


Rasiel

 

Your coins are very impressive Each one could be the precious (like the ring in the movie) for the majority of collectors.
Merci to show us those treasures.
Is there a possibility to see the whole collection ?

 

Of course! Happy to share

My Roman coin collection: http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/grid28.php
My Byzantines: http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/grid31.php
And my Brits: http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/grid27.php

Rasiel

 

The winners made history, that's right.
Thanks Suarez for the links.

 

Hi,
I'm sorry but this is not an original Laelian coin. It's a modern fake replica with old patina and artificial damage.

Here some example from the same modern dies: https://www.lamoneta.it/topic/157174-un-economico-leliano/

and here another database: http://www.forgerynetwork.com/asset.aspx?id=99OrX45dK/g=

 

Magnus Maximus (Usurper in the West, 383-388 A.D.)
Minted in Arelate, France
Obv.: D.N.MAG.MAXIMUS.P.F.AVG.: Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: REPARATIO.REIPVB.: Emperor standing facing left, head left, with right hand raising kneeling turreted female and holding Victory on globe, on left. RIC IX 26b.

 

Here are a couple of Usurpers