Carausius sought equality -- and Peace

Carausius attempted to assert his equality with the legitimate Dyarchal Augusti, Diocletian and Maximian Herculius (not accepted by them), by issuing a series of Antoniniani (some in their names) which included the titulature AVGGG (the three Augusti: Diocletian, Maximian Herculius and Carausius) as part of the reverse legend.

RIC V (2), London, Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 335:


IMP C CARAVSIVS P AVG

PAX AVGGG | S .....P | C

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


IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG

PAX AVGGG | S .....P | MLXXI

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


IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG

PAX AVGGG | S .....P | MLXXI

 

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Very attractive examples of the type!!

My sole example is far inferior than any you posted.

 

That's a nice OP @jamesicus. I only have one Carausius:

 

Nice coin Bing. I love those Carausius "long necks":

Carausius - usurper Augustus of secessionist Britain


IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG

 

Sweet coins @jamesicus

 

those are nice, ops and all. he's on the list now i've started on "usurper" coins.

 

..post it anyway MZ, @ least you have ein

 

Nice @jamesicus !

Unfortunately I do not focus on Empire coinage. I do have 142 of the Rulers, but I store them in albums in order, then show them to my Grandkids to help them understand ancient history.

I only have a couple from Carausius:

My GREENIE:

RI Carausius 287-293 AE22 London mint PAX

My BROWNIE:

RI Carausius usurper in Britain CE 287–293 BI Ant 4.7g 24mm London radiate cuirassed - PAX AVG Pax stndg l branch scepter S—P RIC V 475

 

Don't have a Carausius yet. Those are some fine coins @jamesicus. It seems like Carausius' attempt to curry favor with Diocletian and Maximian didn't work, but those coins provide interesting proof that he attempted to do so.

 

Nice examples!

This one's just AVG, and a bit ugly

 

Ok, here's my gnarly example---one of the first I originally collected....Never got around to 'blacking out' the fingers though

 

Interesting historical facts James.

I need a Carausius.

What were the celators thinking with the giraffe necks of this period? Could they all be the work of one "talented" engraver or were they produced at more than one mint? That would be an interesting thing to study.

Enquiring minds would like to know...

John

 

More great coins and education! I have nothing to share sadly.

 

An interesting study indeed @Theodosius -- Bastien postulates that former Carausius/Allectus die engravers mixed in with the Lugdanese mint workers who accompanied the Constantius British Invasion/occupation force. That may account for the following atypical early London production follis portrait:

RIC Volume VI, Londinium, No. 14a - small head on a tall neck -
Constantius as Caesar:


FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C

GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

9.2 gm.
Influence of Carausius/Allectus die engravers?

 

The most common inscription is PAX.

 

Yes, that was just my feeble attempt to create a provocative thread title.

 

Very impressive @Alegandron ! I love the way you are using your coins!

 

In the "Tetrarchies and the London Mint" thread I wrote:

(List of users who posted to the Thread)

"I think it is the appropriate time to pause this thread. I have a few Tetrarchic associated coins that are surplus to my needs -- not all of them are London Mint folles, but they all have some historical association. I have always believed in "sharing the wealth" by giving surplus coins to fellow enthusiasts who would appreciate them and I have been looking for a way to do that here -- I think I have found it. The above users have demonstrated their enthusiasm by posting to this thread. So I say to each of them: If you would like to receive a free coin, please PM me your snail mail address and I will mail you a coin. Caveat: I no longer drive and therefor only mail from my home -- exclusively to United States addresses."

That worked very well and I would like to do a similar thing in this thread. However I have only one surplus coin to offer here so I need to find a different way to select a worthy recipient. I want to insure, if possible, that the coin goes to a member who is genuinely interested in this coin issue and will appreciate its historical significance -- not just someone who wants a "freebie coin". I solicit suggestions on ways for me to do this.

The coin is a "hard to come by" example in the AVGGG series issued by Carausius:

RIC, Volume V-2, Londinium, Carausius, No. 34

Antoninianus.

Struck by Carausius in the name of Maximian Herculius (Maximianus).


IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG

PAX AVGGG | S -------- P
M L XXI

5.24 gm.

 

Nice coin!

 

Any thoughts on this -- anyone?