© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
Aureus - Carus VICTORIAE AVGG FEL; Siscia
| Gold | 4.45 g | 19 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Carus (Marcus Aurelius Carus) (282-283) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 282-283 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 4.45 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#379982 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Victory advancing left, open diadem in both hands; shield set on low cippus to left.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VIC-TORIAE AVG-G FEL
Comment
British Museum Collection B.10317 var. (same obverse die, different reverse type). RIC V.II -, cf. 96 (obverse) / 98 (reverse). Calicó -, cf. 4288 (obverse) / 4291 (same reverse die).Apparently unique and unpublished - the reverse exactly copying an issue of Septimius Severus from around 80 years earlier (RIC IV.I 144a. Calicó 2561).
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Carus coin is that it features the first known use of the Christian chi-rho monogram on a Roman coin. The chi-rho monogram, which is a combination of the Greek letters chi (Χ) and rho (Ρ), is a symbol of Christianity that was later adopted as a standard motif on Roman coins during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. The use of this symbol on the Aureus - Carus coin suggests that Christianity was already gaining popularity in the Roman Empire during the late 3rd century AD.
