Carausius, Romano-British Emperor, 286-293. Antoninianus (Bronze, 21 mm, 3.51 g, 6 h), with Diocletian and Maximianus, 'C' mint (Camulodunum?), 292-293. [CARAVSIVS ET] FRATRES SVI Jugate radiate and cuirassed busts of Carausius, Diocletian and Maximian to left. Rev. PAX AVGGG / S - P / C Pax standing front, head to left, holding olive branch in her right hand and long scepter in her left. Bourne 68. Carson 5. RIC 1. Webb 1226. Very rare. Corroded and somewhat smoothed, otherwise, good fine.


One of the most spectacular obverse types in all of Roman imperial coinage is no doubt Carausius' 'ET FRATRES SVI' issue. The Menapian Carausius declared himself emperor in Gaul and Britain in 286 after accusations by Maximian of misappropriating booty captured from pirates. Carausius showed himself to be an able commander and managed to fend off Maximian's advances on his territory. As the 'ET FRATRES SVI' issue implies, toward the end of his reign, Carausius tried for a rapprochement with the reigning emperors and to be officially recognized as the third Augustus, next to Diocletian and Maximian. The message on our coin was premature, however, as a renewed offensive in 293 by Constantius I Chlorus wrested control over Gaul from Carausius. Eventually, as was so often the case for Roman usurpers, Carausius' downfall would come from within his own ranks when his treasurer, Allectus, had him assassinated that same year.