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<p>[QUOTE="thejewk, post: 5386089, member: 100136"]For my first purchases of the new year, I've managed to buy two lots that most people wouldn't dream of bothering with. In fact, they might be the ugliest items I've purchased so far. Do I regret them? Not for a second.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1231093[/ATTACH] </p><p>[ATTACH=full]1231094[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>First up is a collection of 22 barbarous radiates found in Norfolk and Suffolk, ranging in size from 5-11mm. Speculatively, these most likely were minted in Britannia or northern Gaul around 280 AD, not long before Carausius arrived. I find it remarkable that, considering how many of these are found both as stray finds and as parts of larger hoards, that they seem to have been acceptable and current in Britannia during and just after the Gallic Empire, the coinage which this series of coins copies, speaking loosely. Notice on how many of them, the only visible characteristic on the obverse, if anything is visible at all, is a few spikes of a radiate crown.</p><p><br /></p><p>Secondly, and more importantly:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1231095[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1231101[/ATTACH] </p><p>Not in RIC, Ashmolean Museum collection ref HCR24347</p><p>IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG - Radiate and cuirassed bust right</p><p>COMES AVGGG - S/P/MLXXL - Minerva helmeted facing left, holding olive branch in right hand, shield and spear in left</p><p>Minted in London by Carausius to celebrate his 'treaty' with Diocletian and Maximianus</p><p>Found in St Albans (Virulamium)</p><p><br /></p><p>As far as I can tell, this grotty and corroded little coin is the second known example of this type, the other found here: <a href="https://hcr.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/hcr24347" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://hcr.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/hcr24347" rel="nofollow">https://hcr.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/hcr24347</a></p><p><br /></p><p>It certainly won't win any awards for looks, but this little coin is dripping with history. After Maximianus' failed attempt to retake Britannia from Carausius failed, he was forced to sign a treaty with Carausius, apparently recognising him as an equal colleague. I'm sure that both parties were well aware that this truce was temporary, but this didn't stop Carausius from taking advantage of the propaganda potential of minting coins for Maximian and Diocletian, as well as rare jugate coins of all three of their busts, each with a reverse ending in AVGGG, symbolising the three Augusti.</p><p><br /></p><p>This coins, with Minerva holding an olive branch, and the legend COMES AVGGG, naming Minerva in her peace offering role as the companion to the Augusti, was irresistible for a few quid.</p><p><br /></p><p>Only a few years after this issue, Constantius, the new Caesar in the West, took back Boulogne from Carausius by blocking access to the town by sea, therefore neutering Carausius' key strength; his navy. Then, Allectus took out Carausius in a bid for power, and was soon defeated by Constantius who returned Britannia to the empire.</p><p><br /></p><p>Please share your ugly but interesting coins, and tell us a bit about why you like them.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="thejewk, post: 5386089, member: 100136"]For my first purchases of the new year, I've managed to buy two lots that most people wouldn't dream of bothering with. In fact, they might be the ugliest items I've purchased so far. Do I regret them? Not for a second. [ATTACH=full]1231093[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1231094[/ATTACH] First up is a collection of 22 barbarous radiates found in Norfolk and Suffolk, ranging in size from 5-11mm. Speculatively, these most likely were minted in Britannia or northern Gaul around 280 AD, not long before Carausius arrived. I find it remarkable that, considering how many of these are found both as stray finds and as parts of larger hoards, that they seem to have been acceptable and current in Britannia during and just after the Gallic Empire, the coinage which this series of coins copies, speaking loosely. Notice on how many of them, the only visible characteristic on the obverse, if anything is visible at all, is a few spikes of a radiate crown. Secondly, and more importantly: [ATTACH=full]1231095[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1231101[/ATTACH] Not in RIC, Ashmolean Museum collection ref HCR24347 IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG - Radiate and cuirassed bust right COMES AVGGG - S/P/MLXXL - Minerva helmeted facing left, holding olive branch in right hand, shield and spear in left Minted in London by Carausius to celebrate his 'treaty' with Diocletian and Maximianus Found in St Albans (Virulamium) As far as I can tell, this grotty and corroded little coin is the second known example of this type, the other found here: [URL]https://hcr.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/hcr24347[/URL] It certainly won't win any awards for looks, but this little coin is dripping with history. After Maximianus' failed attempt to retake Britannia from Carausius failed, he was forced to sign a treaty with Carausius, apparently recognising him as an equal colleague. I'm sure that both parties were well aware that this truce was temporary, but this didn't stop Carausius from taking advantage of the propaganda potential of minting coins for Maximian and Diocletian, as well as rare jugate coins of all three of their busts, each with a reverse ending in AVGGG, symbolising the three Augusti. This coins, with Minerva holding an olive branch, and the legend COMES AVGGG, naming Minerva in her peace offering role as the companion to the Augusti, was irresistible for a few quid. Only a few years after this issue, Constantius, the new Caesar in the West, took back Boulogne from Carausius by blocking access to the town by sea, therefore neutering Carausius' key strength; his navy. Then, Allectus took out Carausius in a bid for power, and was soon defeated by Constantius who returned Britannia to the empire. Please share your ugly but interesting coins, and tell us a bit about why you like them.[/QUOTE]
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