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COIN
Unique ID: BH-404120
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A slightly worn and corroded silver denarius of Carausius (AD 286-93) (Reece Period 14), probably ADVENTVS AVG, Emperor riding left, captive before. Mintmark: -//(RSR); commonly attributed to London, but to be studied further. The obverse type is unclear and might be a bare bust (this is not published). RIC V, pt 2, p. 508, cf. no. 535ff. Measures 19mm in diameter, by 2.9mm thick and weighs 3.94g. This coin is included in Sam Moorhead's corpus for RIC.
The style of the bust and the apparently broken obverse legend are unusual. The bust is more Tetrarchic. The Adventus type suggests that this coin was struck early in the reign and the probable RSR mark suggests it was possibly struck at London. Although the ADVENTVS types are relatively common, the style of this coin is hightly unusual. The style of the bust would suggest that the coin is later, but it is hard to reconcile this with an RSR ADVENTVS type.
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: with finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 286
Date to: AD 293
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 2.9 mm
Weight: 3.94 g
Diameter: 19 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 10th October 2005
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Ver 06/32 - 8
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Coin data (numismatics)
Denomination: Denarius (Empire)
Denomination qualifier: Certain
Ruler/issuer: Carausius
Primary ruler qualifier: Certain
Reece period: Period 14 [275-296]
Mint or issue place: Londinium
Mint qualifier: Possibly
Obverse description: Laureate head right (bust type unclear)
Obverse inscription: CARAV[SIVS -?] ......AVG?]
Reverse description: Emperor on horseback riding left, captive to left.
Reverse inscription: [ADVENTVS AVG]
Degree of wear: Worn: fine
Reverse mint mark: -//(RSR) (probably)
Coin references
- RIC : V, pt 2 p. 508, cf. no. 535ff.
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hertfordshire (County)
District: East Hertfordshire (District)
To be known as: East Hertfordshire
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattingly, H. and Sydenham, E.A. | 1936 | Roman Imperial Coinage: Augustus to Vitellius | London | Spink and Son Ltd | 508 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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