Hi all
This week i acquired this interesting coin. On first glance it's an unremarkable
antoninianus of
Maximianus in OK shape. The
obverse shows the
cuirassed bust of
Maximianus, and the
reverse shows
Pax, holding a brench and
sceptre. So far nothing special, nothing
rare. However, the
reverse legend is what makes this coin special, as it reads '
PAX AVGGG', implying a rule of three
Augusti.
However, as
Diocletian only appointed
Maximianus as co-emperor (286 AD) it should read '
PAX AVGG'.
This coins therefore can be attributed to the usurper
Carausius, who rebelled in
Britain around 286 AD. However, unlike many usurpers before him, he didn't aspire to become sole ruler of the whole empire. This coin is a testimony of
his attempt to legitamize himself as ruler of Brittain (and
part of
Gaul), by acknowledging
Diocletian and
Maximianus as legitimate co-emperors. Unsurprisingly,
Maximianus (as western
augustus) was not amused and didn't recognize him as co-emperor. Ultimately,
Carausius was killed by
his minister of finance
Allectus, who was defeated by
Constantius I in 296 AD, ending the revolt in
Britain.
As these coins are quite
rare, i'm glad i could get my
hands on one of them, it is a nice addition to my
collection :-)
Gr Luuk
Obverse:
IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF
AVGReverse:
PAX AVGGG, S-P across fields
Mintmark: C (
Camulodunum)
Struck: 286-293 AD
Weight: 4.29 gr
Axis: 0600h
Literature:
RIC VII, 42