Ancient & Islamic Coins

Roman Imperial Coinage, Carausius, Antoninianus, ‘C’ mint, imp c caravsivs p f avg, radiate, cuirassed and draped bust right, rev. temporvm fel, Felicitas standing left, holding trident and cornucopia, 5.15g (RIC –; S –). Good very fine, unpublished in the standard references £200-£260

This coin, similar to the previous Lot, is notable for its augmented reverse type. Here Felicitas’ caduceus has similarly been replaced with Neptune’s trident, linking divine good fortune to control over the sea in the same way that the previous coin links divine protection to Carausius’ naval power. Interestingly, the obverse of this coin is remarkably similar to that of the Jupiter-Neptune Antoninianus in the British Museum (PAS FASAM-3A2380). Both coins have the same obverse legend, and while they were struck from different dies, stylistic similarities make it almost certain that they are the work of the same diesinker. Could it be that both this and the preceding coin belong to a small and short-lived celebratory issue following Maximian’s failed invasion of Britain in 290?