BRITISH AND ROMANO-BRITISH COINS. 67 



O. IMP. C. CARAVSIVS. P.F. AVG. Radiate bust to 

 right, with paludamentum. 



R. PAX. AVG. In ex : MLXXI. In field S.P. Peace 



standing, with olive branch and hasta. 



ML = London mint. The numerals, also in the exergue, 

 denote a ratio of value, viz., twenty of these coins to one 

 denarius. The D.C.M. has a similar specimen, but reading ML 

 without the numerals. 



14. O. IMP. C. CARAVSIVS. (P.F] AVG. Radiate bust as 



last. 

 R. PAX. AVGGG. In ex : C. In field S.P. Peace 



standing, with olive branch, and the hasta held 



transversely. 



Colchester mint. The triple G in the reverse legend intimates 

 that the issuer claimed to be on terms of equality with the 

 two Emperors then ruling on the Continent. The letters 

 that often appear in the field of coins of this period are rather 

 obscure, and their interpretation has not yet been definitely 

 settled. 



The last mentioned seven specimens are of the coarse fabric 

 and rough execution which characterise the money of the 

 intruder who struck them. Carausius, usurper as he was and 

 pirate as he may have been, affords an early object lesson as to 

 the value of sea power. Appointed to the command of a Roman 

 fleet at Boulogne, he took the ships across to Britain and, with 

 the consent of the garrison, declared himself as Emperor. 



For six years he defied the efforts of the legitimate Augusti, 

 Diocletian and Maximian, to dislodge him. During those years 

 his mints in the island were extraordinarily active, more than 

 four hundred varieties of type being known. 



ALLECTUS, A.D. 293 TO 296. 



Third-brass. 



15. O. IMP. C. ALLECTVS P.F. AVG. Radiate bust to 



right, with cuirass. 



