Carausius Pax Avggg + Others

I won the lot, $40. Thats the approximate value of the Carausius, so its a great price.

The coins:
CARAUSIUS, PAX AVGGG, rated rare, London Mint. More on the issue below.

2x Commemoratives. One is silvered, not seen that before.

Victorinus Barbaric Imitation. Copied crudely from COMES AVG with the legend on the obverse being an attempt at 'IMP C PIAVVONI VICTORINVS PF AVG'. Unlisted, it seems. Legend seems to actually read PIVESVINO VCTOR.. and ..VG (retrograde and inverted G). This makes it clear that they had the coin present, but could not read it and did not understand the significance of what they were copying.

2x Helmeted Constantine Is (possibly II on one of them).




A word on the AVGGG issues of Carausius:

Carausius usurped Britain from the Romans. He immediatley issued coins bearing his effigy with words of wisdom (Glorious Golden days are back) on them. But he wanted unity with the roman emperor and sought ot be recognised, which is why, towards the end of his reign, he started issuing coins for the ruling emperors in Rome with the legend AVGGG symbolising the 3 augusti - For Diocletian, Maximian and himself. But they were having none of it and did not return the favour. A rare issue with all 3 emperors jugate on the front exists, but it would cost you a LOT.

A little later, he was assassinated by Allectus, who also had none of it and issued only coins for himself. A couple of years later the roman empire landed on the coast, and the empire came to an end with Constantius Chlorus riding into London.