Carausius, Romano-British Emperor, 286-293. Antoninianus (Bronze, 21 mm, 2.47 g, 8 h), uncertain mint (Londinium?), circa 286-287. [IMP CAR]AVSIVS P AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Carausius to right. Rev. [EX]PECTATE VENIO (sic!) / RSR Britannia, on the left, standing right, holding standard in her left hand and clasping hand with Carausius, on the right, standing left in military attire, holding scepter in his left hand. Cohen -, cf. 59. Gysen I, 1836 (same dies). H. -. RIC -, cf. 605. Webb -, cf. 666. Very rare and of great historical interest. Traces of overstriking and with some minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.

The Menapian Carausius declared himself emperor in Gaul and Britain in 286 after accusations by Maximian of misappropriating booty captured from pirates. One of the most remarkable features of his coinage are the occasional references to Vergil's works. While this was subtly hidden in the mint marks on some issues, our coin is far more explicit, with the reverse legend reading 'EXPECTATE VENI(O)' ('Come, Awaited One!'), which most likely paraphrases the Aeneid's (2.282-3) 'Quibus Hector ab oris exspectate venis?' ('From which shores do you arrive, Hector, (long) awaited?'). The reverse scene shows Britannia welcoming Carausius, the implication being that he is the long-awaited one who will restore the province to her former prosperity and usher in a new Golden Age for the Roman Empire.