Carausius unknown reverse... Help me Mauseus

[The Apostle]

I recently purchased this coin and am having trouble completing the identification.  The obverse is on of the best I have personally seen for Carausius.  I do not have the coin in hand yet and based on the pictures I am having trouble with the reverse legend.  Using the spreadsheets this is what I have narrowed it down to.

Obv:  IMP C CARAVSIVS PF AVG radiate, cuirsassed, unsure about draped
Rev:  Figure standing left holding ? and spear
SP in fields
MLXXI in exergue

The reverse legend possibilities are COMES AVGGG, IOVI AVG, IOVI AVGGG, PROVIDENTIA AVGG, PROVIDENTIA AVGGG.

[mauseus]

Hi,

This looks to be a coin with the marks S/P//MLXXI and is going to be either:

1. PAX AVG or PAX AVGGG, Pax standing left holding olive branch and vertical sceptre (RIC - (cf 98) or RIC 141) or

2. SALVS AVG, Salus standing left feeding serpent rising from altar with vertical sceptre (RIC 154).

Difficult to say but there looks to be an altar/serpent on the outside of the S in the left field, plus the figure has a straight arm, rather than the usually crooked one of Pax; yet there looks to be a P at the start of the reverse legend.

A tough one to call. What do you think when you see it in hand?

Regards,

Mauseus

[The Apostle]

I just recieved the coin in the mail and am still confused about the reverse.  You are correct about a P being the first letter in the reverse legend.  However there is what looks like a P at 10 o'clock on the reverse also.  There does look to be something, perhaps and altar, below the S in the left field.

[The Apostle]

I have had this coin in hand but am just getting around scanning it.  I lack the capabilities to photograph the coin sadly. 

The obvserse I find stunning for a coin of Carausius.  The reverse is still giving me trouble.  I am only using the spreadsheets and am still running into a wall.  The reverse legend begins with a "P" as Mauseus suggests.  There is an additional "P" at 10 o'clock which according to the sheets should not be there.

Again I apologize for the subpar scans but the original picture is still available.  I would appreciate the help of anyone to give this coin a proper identification.  Thank you.

[The Apostle]

One and only bump.

[mauseus]

Hi,

I saw your original new picture and couldn't add anything new. I think my first answer still stands I'm afraid and what shows is either an undertype from being overstruck (or double struck) or is a trick of the light. I can offer no other solution sadly.

I am, of course, very welcome to be corrected.

Regards,

Mauseus

[The Apostle]

I have never thought of it being overstruck.  That makes sense though.  I will gladly take you for your word and leave it at that.  Thank you.