DI-6655 | RIC 5 carausius 571
Carausius
Carausius

Dynasty: Gallic Usurper
Emperor: Carausius
Authority: Carausius
Date and mint: AD 286/AD 293 - - - -


Obverse: Bust of Carausius, laureate, draped, right, or Bust of Carausius, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right
Legend: IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG

Reverse: Loba, standing right, amamantando a Romulus and Remo.
Legend: RENOVAT ROMA or RENOVAT ROMAN or RENOVAT ROMANO or RENOVAT RVMANO

Comment: Carausius, of Celtic origin and formerly a naval commander in Roman service, used the crisis of the later Empire to proclaim himself emperor in Britannia and part of northern Gaul between AD 286 and 293. Control of the Channel fleet and the weakness of central power allowed him to establish an autonomous regime, which he tried to legitimize by presenting himself as defender of Rome against barbarians and restorer of traditional values. Coinage was one of his most effective political tools, notable for its technical quality and carefully calculated symbolism. RIC V 571 (DI-6655) is a perfect example. The obverse shows Carausius laureate, draped and cuirassed with IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG, presenting him as legitimate emperor, pius and felix. The reverse revives one of Rome's most powerful foundation images: the Capitoline she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, with RENOVAT ROMA, Rome is renewed. The message is clear: Carausius proclaimed himself restorer of Rome, presenting his rule in Britannia not as rupture but as renewal of the City's foundational glory. This denarius is therefore not only rare and technically fine, but a political document in silver.

Provenance: Numismatica Ars Classica (2011)
Price: 48,647 €