Tetradrachm Carinus, Alexandria 283–284 A.D.
References: Vaux, W. S. W. “On a discovery of Roman coins, in the Parish of Little Malvern, Worcestershire”, The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Numismatic Society, vol. 11, 1848, pp. 19–39; Cohen, H., Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l̕Empire romain communément appellées, médailles imperials, Vol. 7, Paris: Rollin & Feuardent, 1892; Sutherland, C. H. V., Carson, R. A. G. (eds), The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 6: from Diocletian's reform (AD 294) to the death of Maximinus (AD 313), Spink & Son Ltd, London, 1967; Geissen, A., Katalog alexandrinischer Kaisermünzen, Köln, Cologne, 1974-1983, n. 3177; Robertson, A. S., Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow: V, Diocletian (Reform) to Zeno, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982; Sear, D. R., Greek Imperial Coins and their Values, London: Seaby, 1982; Köln 3177-80, Dattari 5584-5, Sear GIC 4779 var., K&G 115.10.
Provincial coin tetradrachm; beading not visible. On the obverse of this coin, laureate bust of Carinus (r. 283-285 A.D.), short lived Emperor of the Roman Empire: draped facing right. On the legend, the inscription reading A K MA KAPINOC CEB. Obverse translation: “Autokpatωp Kaiσαρ Mapkinoc Karinus ceastor”, in latin “Imperator Marcus Carinus Augustus”. On the reverse with inscription L-B (= regnal year 2) across fields. Elpis (Spes) walking left, holding flower and raising drapery of dress. Minted in Alexandria, Egypt.
Date: 283–284 AD.
Parallels: Jerusalem, The Israel Museum 71.01089; Urbana, Spurlock Museum of World Cultures 1900.63.1179; Sydney, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences N7066; compare with Cambridge, Harvard Art Museums 1976.79.1312, 1979.428.566; compare with Yale, Yale University Art Gallery 2001.87.4215.
Photo by Steve Morton