Ancient & Islamic Coins

Roman Imperial Coinage, Carausius, Diocletian and Maximian, Antoninianus, ‘C’ mint, 292-3, jugate, radiate and cuirassed busts left, caravsivs et fratres svi, rev. pax avggg, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and vertical sceptre, s p in field, [c] in exergue, 3.95g (Shiel 13, same obv. die; RIC V 1; S 682). Small patch of corrosion on reverse, otherwise good fine, all three portraits clear £1,000-£1,200

Provenance: Found in West Dorset (PAS DOR-0D1875).

These coins, which have intrigued numismatists for over 250 years, represent an attempt by Carausius to align himself with Diocletian and Maximian when these latter two saw him as nothing but a usurper. Some 25-30 specimens are known, mostly from find-spots in central Southern England and from East Anglia. While the discovery of this coin in West Dorset slightly widens the geographical area of provenanced finds for the issue, it still maintains the general trend that Carausius’ triple bust radiates are found outside of large hoards and remote from major settlements and military sites