Saturday 14 November 2009

Gallic prototypes of Carausius

My latest Carausius acquisition affirms my hypothesis that a number of the coin types of Carausius were inspired by those of the Gallic Empire.

This early unmarked Carausius INVICTVS with a star in the left field is clearly modelled on the coins of Victorinus.
Similarly this early Carausius PAX AVG has field marks of V and star, again mirroring Victorinus.
Indeed PAX AVG coins were very popular in the Gallic series, just as they are with Carausius, vertical sceptres for Postumus and Tetricus I, transverse sceptres for Victorinus. I think that this needs further investigation.