I made an unexpected purchase recently when following a few budget Gallienus zoo coins at auction. A number of years back, when I read about Carausius and his exploits, I had the urge to buy one of his coins. Since then, I’ve been keeping my eye out for Allectus, but they always seemed to go a little higher than I was willing to pay. At last week’s (Timeline) auction, someone continued to bid against me on this antoninianus, but I was pleased with the final price for the quality. I always thought I’d buy a galley quinarius, but I’m happy with this 'Provid' type. Allectus, AE Antoninianus. AD 293-296. 'C' (Camulodunum?) mint. IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / PROVD AVG, Providentia standing to left, holding globe in right hand and cornucopia in left; S P across fields, C in exergue. RIC V.2 94; Burnett, Coinage 160 Carausius BI Radiate. Uncertain mint, AD 286-293. IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG, radiate and draped bust to right / PAX AVG, Pax standing to left, holding olive branch and cornucopiae; S-C across fields. RIC V.2 475; Webb 531 I also wondered if anyone could enlighten me on the Legio IIII that I’ve seen on coins of Carausius. The little research I have done suggests that he had no direct connection to the legion, but wanted the legitimacy brought by it’s reputation. Perhaps someone else knows more about this? Casey’s Carausius & Allectus arrived in the post today for some holiday reading – but I don’t know if this is mentioned. Please share any coins of Carausius or Allectus (or anything related).
This type from London was struck for Diocletian and Maximianus by Carausius, which is why the reverse legend ends with AVGGG. Carausius was hoping that Diocletian and Maximianus would recognize him as a co-ruler; which did not happen. The first part of the exergue is ML for Moneta Londinium and then XXI, which is a mark of value- probably 20 parts bronze to 1 part silver. S-P across the reverse fields might stand for Sacra Pecunia-- sacred money Carausius A.D. 291 24mm 4.3g IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right PAX AVGGG; Pax stg. l., holding olive branch and transverse sceptre; S-P across fields. In ex. MLXXI RIC Vii London 143 Diocletian A.D. 291 21x24mm 4.4gm IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right PAX AVGGG; Pax stg. l., holding olive branch and transverse sceptre; S-P across fields. In ex. MLXXI RIC Vii London 9 Maximianus A.D. 291 24mm 3.8g IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right PAX AVGGG; Pax stg. l., holding olive branch and sceptre; S-P across fields. In ex. MLXXI RIC Vii London 34
Hi All, FYI, a while back the ANS had a very interesting lecture that you can now see on YouTube: Long Table 163. The Silver Coinage of Carausius (AD 286-93) - Broucheion
In the late Roman Empire, the word sacer, sacra or divinus, divina just meant "imperial". "sacra moneta" or "sacra pecunia" meant "imperial mint".
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 Allectus (293 - 296 A.D.) Billon antoninianus O: IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left, globe in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, S in left field, P in right field, ML in exergue. Londinium (London, England) mint 21mm 2.52g RIC V-2 36
I always wanted one of the Allectus coins with the galley reverse. In my novice (2007-08) Roman collection, I managed to amass 100+ different emperors and empresses in that short time (108, I think it was- before I was laid off in the Recession and forced to sell the whole collection). But I do not think I ever got around to adding an Allectus.
Here are my Carausius and Alectus coins : Obv : IMP C CARAUSIUS P F AVG ; radiate and cuirassed bust right Rev : PAX AVG S|P ; Pax standing left holding olive - branch and vertical sceptre RIC 5b nr 475 ; AD 286 – 293 ; CAMULODUNUM mint ; 25,37 mm ; 4,89 gr Obv : IMP C ALLECTUS P AVG ; radiate and cuirassed bust right Rev : V - IRTVS AVG //QC ; Gally left, with 5 rowers, steerman standing RIC 5b nr 130 ; AD 293 – 296 ; CAMULODUNUM mint ; 17,98 mm ; 1,97 gr
Thanks for sharing your coins, links and comments, everyone. Lovely coins, Victor, and a nice little subset. I have my eye on one of those Maximian AVGGG types. Thank you for that link Broucheion and directing me to that series. I watched the first half last night and it's amazing to see someone so knowledgeable on the subject and how much research and effort is involved. . I learned this only recently from Victor's 'The Coins Speak'. Lordmarcovan - for the cost of a decent Allectus, I think there are many other coins I would normally choose instead. I view it as one half of a pair with such an interesting history.
Bronze Coin (AE Antoninianus) minted during the reign of CARAUSIUS between 287 - 293 A.D. Obv. IMP.C.CARAVSIVS.P.F.AVG.: rad., dr. & cuir. bust r. Rev. PAX.AVG.: Pax stg. l., holding olive-branch & vertical sceptre, in field SP. RCS #3579. RICV #475 pg.504. DVM #24. Bronze Coin (AE Antoninianus) minted at Clausentum during the reign of ALLECTUS between 293 - 296 A.D. Obv. IMP.C.ALLECTVS.P.F.AVG.: Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right. Rev. PAX.AVG.S.P.: Pax stg. l., holding olive-branch & vertical sceptre, in field SP. RCS #3593. RICV #86 pg.566. DVM #6.
I suppose that’s precisely what happened to me. In my white-hot enthusiasm for the new pursuit in 2007-08, I snatched up as many different rulers as I possibly could, on my then-considerably slender budget. And I did manage to assemble 100+ of them in a year, including a few toughies (lifetime Julius Caesar, Caligula, Otho, Pupienus, etc.). But there’s only so many I got around to before the party came to a screeching halt and I had to sell my collection (got laid off from work). I got Carausius, as I recall, but just never got around to Allectus. (Similarly, I got Pupienus but never got Balbinus.)
CARAUSIUS Carausius (usurper in Britain, AD 287–293). Billon antoninianus, 4.7g, 24mm, 6h; London? Obv.: IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust of Carausius right. Rev.: PAX AVG, Pax standing left, holding branch and scepter, S—P across field. Reference: RIC V 475. Ex: @John Anthony , Auction 87 Seller's oratory: Only 13 years after the Gallic Empire was disbanded and the Roman Empire unified, Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius usurped power and declared himself emperor in Britain and northern Gaul. It seems a recurring theme in history for the Brits to break away from the mainland European powers, but in the case of Carausius, the motives may initially have been less exalted than liberty and justice for all. Carausius was in command of the Classis Britannica, a fleet in charge of eliminating pirates in the English Channel. However, he was suspected of keeping treasure for himself, and even allowing pirates to carry out their raids before attacking them and confiscating their booty. Maximian ordered his execution, and thus was another usurper born - some authors have called him the Pirate Emperor. The history of Britain during this period is spotty and vague, but Carausius did manage to capitalize on the Brits’ dissatisfaction with Rome. Eventually however, Constantius Chlorus marched against him and although Chlorus did not defeat him, Carausius’ authority was severely compromised - he was assassinated by his henchman Allectus, who himself briefly seized power until CC finished mopping up. There is a famous gold medal in the British Museum, which commemorates Constantius I’s restoration of Britain to the empire... ALLECTUS RI Allectus 293-296 AE Quinarius Mint: London, AD 294-296 16.9 x 18.2 mm. 2.31 grams. SEAR 13870. RIC 55. Radiate head of Allectus right, with IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG around. Galley left with VIRTVS AVG around, the mint mark QL below. Ex: Calgary Coins
That's a very impressive number for a year. I don't have any of those four you mentioned yet, but I think I'll get at least one of those next year as I've picked up most of the more affordable emperors so there are fewer gaps in my collection now and I'm gradually being pushed toward the 12 Caesars. Must have been hard to sell the lifetime Julius, but from what I've seen, I suspect you have upgraded considerably!
In my first 12C set, I had an uglyish example but it was lifetime, from right before his assassination. I got it for under 500 bucks, which would be practically impossible these days. For the coin in my current set I paid 1,400 EUR plus fees.
