Carus 282-283

EvilMCT

I picked one of these up in Germany about 20 years ago (wow, times flying). Does anyone have any info on these? This is not my coin, but I found this picture recently with a two line blurb mentioning Carus and the date. My coin (hopefully I can get a decent pic) looks to be copper but with the same design. Any help would be appreciated.




Ken

CIVITAS

Well, it is an "antoninianus" of Carus who reigned from 282-283 A.D. The coin you show is also a bronze coin, it just happens to have most of its silvering intact still. The antoninianus began as a silver denomination under the reign of Caracalla sometime around 214 A.D. (?). Over time it was slowly debased until sometime during the reigns of Gallienus, Valerian and Postumus (circa 260 A.D.) the coin was little more than a bronze coin with a silver wash on the outside.

Carus led a rather successful expedition against the Persians after being declared emperor. However, he was killed in his army encampment near Ctesiphon by lightning.

BigAlan

However, he was killed in his army encampment near Ctesiphon by lightning.

That's the official story. Rumor has it the lightning came from the hand of the pretorian commander Aper or from the imperial bodyguard commander Diocletion, but it's just a rumor.

CIVITAS

That does make more sense, considering the rumors of Aper's ambitions. A little poison "lightning" would do the job too.