Allectus, Romano-British Emperor, 293-296. Antoninianus (Bronze, 20 mm, 2.16 g, 6 h), Camulodunum, 295-296. IMP C ALLECTVS AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust of Allectus to right. Rev. VIRTVS AVG / Q C Galley to left, with five rowers, mast and cabin, before the prow, upright staff or vexillum decorated with a ram's head. Burnett 217 var. Cohen 83. RIC 129. Rogiet 1048 and 3731-2 (same dies). An extremely rare and interesting variety. Slightly rough and with minor deposits, otherwise, good very fine.



Upon closer examination, the galley depictions on the coins of Allectus reveal a remarkable variety of small variations. On some pieces, we can recognize a Victory or a male figure (possibly Mars?) on the prow - divine companions granted to the warship, endowing it with protection, strength, and invincibility. Our extremely rare antoninianus features yet another noteworthy detail: a staff or vexillum extending over the prow is adorned with a small ram’s head, a subtle element that can easily go unnoticed - as was the case when this coin was last offered - yet is clearly identifiable upon closer inspection.

The ram’s head likely alludes to Jupiter-Ammon, placing the classis Britannica, Allectus’ decisive instrument of power in his struggle against the impending invasion of Constantius I, under the protection of the supreme father of the gods. Notably, instead of the traditional Roman symbol of Jupiter, the eagle, the ram’s head of Jupiter-Ammon was chosen, a motif that originally traces back to the worship of Zeus-Ammon in the Egyptian oasis of Siwa. This attests to the widespread popularity of Eastern cults among Roman soldiers, a phenomenon well-documented in the 3rd century, particularly in relation to the cults of Mithras and Sol Invictus.