Carausius struck coins in the names of Diocletian and Maximianus to legitimise his role as emperor. I have wanted one for years but never pulled the trigger and now I have 3 arrive all at once..... The first two are the standard PAX AVGGG from London. The 3rd is a quite nice PAX AVGGG from Camulodunum. Diocletian Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– PAX AVGGG, Pax standing left holding olive branch and transverse sceptre Minted in London under Carausius (S-P//MLXXI). Reference(s) – RIC London 9 Weight 3.63g. 21.38mm. 180 degrees Maximianus Herculius Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– PAX AVGGG, Pax standing left holding olive branch and vertical sceptre Minted in London under Carausius (S-P//MLXXI). Reference:- RIC V London 34. Weight 3.45g. 22.39mm. 180 degrees Maximianus Herculius Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– PAX AVGGG, Pax standing left holding olive branch and transverse sceptre Minted in Camulodunum under Carausius (S-P//C). Reference:- RIC V Camulodunum 42 Bust Type C Weight 3.63g. 23.96mm. 180 degrees I am sure others have some that will blow these away for quality but I am quite pleased with the little trio.. Feel free to share others from these issues....
I don't know about blow away as yours are pretty good (and Camulodunum isn't too common), but I have a couple of these from London. Ironically, they were some of my first Roman coins. AVGGG, of course, has 3Gs to represent 3 Augusti (Carausius, Diocletian and Maximian), as if they were all happily ruling together. I believe there's still some dispute as to whether the C mint was Camulodunum (Colchester). Indeed, it probably was not, based on find spots and the contraction CL found in exergue on some Allectus coins. Instead, it might be Clausentum (modern Southampton). Carausius for Diocletian Antoninianus, 287-293 London. Bronze, 4.3g. Radiate and draped bust right; IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG. Pax standing left holding olive-branch and transverse sceptre; PAX AVGGG; S - P in fields; mintmark MLXXI in exergue (RIC V, 9). Carausius for Maximian Antoninianus, 287-293 London. Bronze, 22mm, 4.3g. Radiate and cuirassed bust right; IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG. Pax standing left, holding olive branch and long scepter; PAX AVGGG; S-P across fields; mintmark MLXXI in exergue (RIC V, 34).
I love these! What a great trio. Here's my C mint Diocletian: Lloyd 1998 (The C mint of Carausius and Allectus, BNJ 68(3)) also suggests Glevum = Gloucester, based on find spots. He provides pretty strong evidence that it was in the west at least, so not Colchester. I would bet Glevum is right. It was the largest city in the west with the right initial (or initials, if the Allectus CL coins are the same mint). Clausentum was quite small.
@nerosmyfavorite68 It is thought so, but SC in the exergue is much rarer than C. There is also CXXI, MC, MCXXI, MSC, MSCC, MSCL, etc etc. The range of mint marks on Carausius coins is bewildering.
