CARUS, Posthumous AD 282-283 AE Antoninianus. 2.81g, 21.8mm MINTED: Rome mint, AD 285 REF: RIC 49; Cohen 20

OBVERSE: DIVO CARO, radiate bust right. REVERSE: CONSECRATIO, lit altar; KAΓ in exergue.

Grade/Notes: Good/Fair.  Rough surfaces.

Historical Notes:

Carus was a senator from Narbo in Gaul who was made Prefect of the Praetorian Guard in the time of Emperor Probus.  He succeeded him when Probus was murdered by his own troops in late 282 and founded a short-lived dynasty with his two sons, Carinus and Numerian.  He was barely into the tenth month of his reign and had just concluded a successful campaign against the Persians when he was struck dead by lightning.