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Carausius. Romano-British Emperor, AD 286-293. Antoninianus (25mm, 4.12 g, 6h). ‘C’ mint. Struck circa AD 287-290 (?). [IM]P C CARAVSIVS P F AVG , radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / MONETA AVG, Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia; –|C//C. RIC V.5 – but cf. p. 519, fn. 2519 (for discussion of mint mark). Glossy dark green patina with some brown, some roughness, small edge split. Near VF. Extremely rare.
From the Tony Holmes Collection.
In RIC V.5 (published 2025) Dr. Moorhead doubted that this mint mark existed. One coin of a Salus reverse type was first attributed with this mint mark by Percy Webb in his 1907 catalog for the Numismatic Chronicle. That coin, no. 449 is the same coin as Hunter IV 138, illustrated on pl. 60 of the Hunterian catalog. Dr. Moorhead correctly points out that Webb misread the obverse legend, omitting the first C for Caesar which is evident on the Hunter coin. Besides that confusion, P. Webb, “The Reign and Coinage of Carausius” in NC 1907, 449 = RIC V.2 (published 1933) 398 (third mint mark) = Hunter IV 138 = RIC V.5 2963 note. However, Dr. Moorhead considered it most likely that, given the weakness in the left field of the Salus coin, said specimen is actually an [S]|C//C example. Consequently, he cataloged it as an RIC V.5 2963.
However, this new coin requires a reevaluation of the elusive –|C//C mint mark. Like Hunter 138, this coin appears to bear a –|C//C mint mark. However, while there appears to be almost no trace of an S anywhere in the left field of this coin, it is possible, however unlikely, that there could have been a small and faint S in the weak area between Moneta’s scales and her body. It should be noted, however, that this cataloger considers this possibility very unlikely upon inspection of the coin. Perhaps more likely is that both of these coins were intended to be marked S|C//C but that, given the presence of the design in the left field, the die engraver(s) simply elected to omit the S in the left field due to the encroaching design of Salus and Moneta’s attributes. Ultimately, given that this mint mark is not clear beyond a reasonable doubt, the –|C//C mint mark still requires confirmation. The case for its existence, however, is strongly strengthened by this new enigmatic specimen.
Closing Date and Time: 15 July 2026 at 14:23:40 ET.
All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.
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