Carausius, Antoninianus, 286-293
Uncertain mint - Unpublished - Bronze - VF(20-25)
Bust of Carausius, radiated, draped, cuirassed, right.
Helmeted male figure (Mars?), standing right, holding (a spear in his right hand?) and a shield in his left, treading down a fallen enemy.
Unique specimen? This coin appears to be the first known example illustrated in references and sales for this type. It could correspond to the description of RIC V Carausius 1054, but it is not illustrated and the reverse legend is only partially visible, so it is impossible to be certain. It seems that there is a caption on the exergue under the figures on the reverse. Perhaps it corresponds to the ‘MLXXI’ sometimes found on other types, the mark of the Londinium workshop. As for the portrait on the obverse, it is very close to the portraits of the tetrarchs officially ruling at this time, such as Maximian Hercules (see Roma Numismatics, Auction 13, 2017, lot 1161 for a similar portrait). However, in all probability, this type with a male figure with a shield (and spear?) above an enemy on the ground is completely unknown to date. It is difficult to consider an unofficial production since there is no type issued by any other emperor that corresponds to the type of reverse on this coin, contributing to strengthen the possibility of a completely new, and previously unrecorded, type of coin issued by the Britannian usurper Carausius.
IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG
[...?] AVGGG
3.06 gr
Bronze
Bronze (not to be confused with brass, although usage of the two terms varied in times of yore) is an extremely ancient alloy with origins going back to the period around 2,000 BC. Also known...wait for it...as the Bronze Age (who would have guessed?). Back in ancient times, a proportion of 10% tin was added to copper. It was used in particular for luxurious objects such as swords, helmets, hairpins, and even chariot ornaments.
That is by no means insignificant though, as when putting on a bronze helmet you would already find yourself with an extra 3 kilos or so on your head. Add to that your sword and armor…let’s see you advance quickly now!
The heavyweight of alloys one might say*.
The first Western bronze coins probably date back to the end of the 4th century BC and Greece.
Although the coins may be ancient, it is more difficult to date the appearance of a specific word for this alloy. The earliest record is a Venetian manuscript in Greek dating from the 11th century, but it is not impossible that it was in use earlier.
Nowadays, the bronze used in coinage is an alloy of copper (majority) and tin (minority) along with other metals such as zinc, for example, which improves the castability, or nickel, which produces a harder alloy. Its main qualities are undeniably its great resistance to corrosion and mechanical wear as well as...its aesthetic aspect.
The patina of bronze can vary, ranging from verdigris to brown through to black.
*Actually, puns aside, copper and cupronickel have a greater density, for example.
