CARAUSIUS, Romano-British Usurper
AD 286-293
AE Antoninianus. 2.75g, 21.3mm
MINTED: Camulodunum mint, AD 286-293
REF: Cf. RIC V-2 348
OBVERSE: IMP CARAV[SIVS... AV]G, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
REVERSE: PRO[VID AV]G, Providentia standing left, holding cornucopiae and baton with globe at feet; C in exergue.
Provenance:
Ex Richard Plant Collection
Reverend Richard Plant (1928-2000) was a lifelong coin collector and the author of the books "Greek Coin Types and Their Identification", "A Numismatic Journey Through the Bible", and his most famous work, "Arabic Coins and How to Read Them", for which he won the Royal Numismatic Society's Lohkta Memorial Prize in 1975.
Notes:Earthen and green patina. Irregular-shaped flan with a couple of edge splits.
Historical Notes:
Carausius was a naval commander under Emperor Maximianus who had been tasked to rid the English Channel of pirates around AD 286. Suspected of keeping captured treasure for himself, his execution was ordered, but Carausius instead revolted and declared himself Emperor in Britain and northern Gaul. With his fleet of ships, four legions of troops, and other foreign soldiers and mercenaries attracted to his banner, Carausius managed to stay in power for seven years, until he was betrayed and assassinated by his own finance minister, Allectus, in AD 293.
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SKU: 4287
SGDÂ 40.00Price
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