Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Roman Imperial Coinage, Carausius, Antoninianus, ‘C’ mint, radiate bust right in consular robes, holding Victory on globe in left hand and raising right hand, imp caravsivs p f avg, rev. leg [vi] victrici, boar standing left, cxxi in exergue, 2.55g (PAS FASAM-B450E7, this coin; RIC –). Good fine with two chips, green patina with some deposits; an exceptionally rare and important coin £300-£400

Unlisted in RIC, the reverse has since been recorded from a single coin, so this is now the second known example of this legionary issue. The obverse showing a consular bust holding Victory appears to be an entirely new type.

Consular titles were self-awarded during Carausius’s reign, and would have been celebrated with a consular procession and public games. David Sear has suggested that Legion VI VICTRIX, stationed at York, were not supporters of Carausius’s usurpation in Britain and that this might explain the lack of coins in their name. This consular portrait holding Victory could have been intended as a political statement from Carausius to Legion VI emphasising his authority.