Carausius. Romano-British Emperor, AD 286-293. AR Denarius (19.5mm, 3.95 g, 6h). ‘RSR’ mint. Near EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 877. Estimated: $ 5 000

Roman Imperial, Silver

Sold For $ 8 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Carausius. Romano-British Emperor, AD 286-293. AR Denarius (19.5mm, 3.95 g, 6h). ‘RSR’ mint. IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG, laureate and draped bust right / VIRTVS SAECC, radiate lion walking left, holding thunderbolt in mouth; RSR. RIC V.5 174; cf. RIC V 591 (for similar type); cf. Shiel 92-3 (same). Toned, flan crack, light scrapes and scratches. Near EF. Extremely rare, only 2 examples noted in RIC V.5.

From the Dr. Malcolm Lyne Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 114 (6 May 2019), lot 844. Found in St. Mary Bourne, Hampshire, 2015 (PAS ID BM-B49CF4).

The reverse type with the radiate lion holding a thunderbolt in its mouth is first seen in the coinage of Caracalla. What exactly the significance and meaning of this type is has been a source of much discussion. David Woods in his article “From Caracalla to Carausius: The Radiate Lion With Thunderbolt in its Jaws” for the 2018 BNJ suggested that the scene is a reference to courage inspired by the classical account of a pair of dream premonitions concerning Alexander the Great as recounted by Plutarch of Chaeronea. Caracalla, a fervent admirer of Alexander, would likely have been familiar with the account and enthusiastic to compare his courageousness to that of Alexander. Later, Carausius revived the reverse type as is found here on this coin. Carausius’ coinage is ripe with literary references, so it is not astonishing to think that he would have picked up on this previous design and elected to strike coinage depicting it. His legend reads VIRTVS SAECC, or “courage of the ages.” A quite aspirational expression but one that was perhaps not fated to be sustained as Carausius’ rebellion came it an abrupt end in 293 upon the fall of his fortress of Gesoriacum (today’s Boulongne-sur-Mer).

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Three – Lot 648–983 will be held Wednesday morning, 10 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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