...this guy had tons of problems...and i'm purdy sure he wasn't as bad as they said... another down, several to go POST YOUR COINS N COMMENTS PEEPS! Carinus as Augustus, antoninianus, 283-285. Ticinum mint. Principi Ivventvt reverse, Carinus holding globe & septer/spear, captive at left foot. 23mm 3.61gms. ref. RIC Vb-302.
Nice one, @ominus1 ! CARINUS RI Carinus 282-285 CE BI Potin Tet 19mm 8.1g Alexandria Egypt 19mm Athena Seated holding Nike
Great coin and patina has nice eye appeal looks like you could get some more of the crud off if you soak it for a while.
Is that Carinus a mule? PRINCIPI IVVENTVT reverse types were typically reserved for Caesars, but this one is for Carinus as Augustus. I wonder if the reverse was intended for his brother Numerian, who was Caesar for a while before Carus elevated him to full co-Augustus.
There are two threads going now that address the family of Carus. I am posting this to both because it links to a website on the family. The other is here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/carus-sons-numerian-carinus.366468/ In the short three years of Carus, Carinus, and Numerian their titles on coins underwent several changes. With this post I announce a site on their coins and how they are dated, "Roman Coins of the Emperors Carus, Carinus, and Numerian, 282-285." http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Carus/ One of my favorites on that page is this one of Carus spelled with a K, which was only used very early in his reign. Carus Probably struck sole reign, end of August 282 to autumn 282 23 mm. 3.86 grams. IMP C M AVR KARVS PF AVG PAX EXERCITI Pax standing left holding flower and standard. VIXXI RIC 73, Ticinum mint. If you have a coin of theirs with a reverse legend ending AVG, AVGG, or AVGGG, it has chronological information which is in two tables in that article. Take a look: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Carus/
That's interesting and helpful. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge! With the help of your table, I can date my Carus to August 282 to autumn 283, and my Carinus and Numerian to Feb/Mar 283 to Nov 284. (I hesitated to show my coins her since they are much less attractive than the examples on @Valentinian 's website – but well, let's do it nonetheless.) Carus, Roman Empire, Antoninianus, 282/3 AD, Cyzicus mint. Obv: IMP C M AVR CARVS PF AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Carus right. Rev: CLEMENTIA TEMP, Carus (left) receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter (right), B in exergue. 21mm, 4.08g. Ref: RIC V-2 Cyzicus, 118c. Carinus, Roman Empire, AE antoninian, 283–284 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: IMP C M AVR CARINVS PF AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Carinus r. Rev: VIRTVS AVGG; Carinus (left) receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter or Carus (right); in field below, H; in exergue, XXI. 20mm, 3.63g. Ref: RIC V-2 Antioch 325. Numerian, Roman Empire, AE antoninian, 283–284 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP NVMERIANVS AVG; bust of Numerian, radiate, cuirassed, r. Rev: IOVI VICTORI; Jupiter, standing l., holding Victory on globe in r. hand and sceptre in l. hand; at foot, eagle; in exergue, KAB. 22mm, 3.86g. Ref: RIC V Carus 410.
My favourite Carinus is definitely this denarius: laureate, tiny, and rare: The betting is good that it was a special issue for when he was promoted to Augustus in Feb/Mar 283.
That is a bit odd, isn't it! According to Warren's page, though, Carinus and Numerian were promoted to Augustus at the same time, so the Numerian-on-the-reverse explanation doesn't solve the mystery. Just a representation of the junior emperor, then?
