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The Romano-British Empire (A.D. c.287-296)
Carausius (A.D. c.287-293) and Allectus (A.D. 293-296)
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RB108 - The 'Romano-British Empire', Carausius (A.D.287-293) Bronze Antoninianus, 3.82g., 'C' or 'G' mint (possibly Colchester, Gloucester or Cirencester), IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, rev., VIRTVS AVG, Mars standing right leaning on shield and holding spear, in exergue C or G, (RIC 437),  extremely fine with traces of silver and blue copper oxide. $175 SOLD
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RB109 - The 'Romano-British Empire', Carausius (A.D.287-293) Bronze Antoninianus, 3.78g., 'C' or 'G' mint (possibly Colchester, Gloucester or Cirencester), IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, rev., SPES PVBL, Spes walking left holding flower and raising robe, in exergue C or G, ( cf RIC 411, no control marks in field),  weakly struck in parts otherwise extremely fine, rare. $175
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R969 - The 'Romano-British Empire', Carausius (A.D.287-293) Legionary type for Legio II Parthica, Bronze Antoninianus, 5.25g., London mint, draped radiate bust right, IMP [C] CARAVSIVS P F AVG, rev., [LEG II P]ARTH, a male centaur walking left, holding a long palm, [M]L mintmark in exergue (RIC 61 or 62, R2),  weakly struck in parts otherwise extremely fine, chocolate brown patina. $595 SOLD

From other sources we know that Legio II Parthica, founded in A.D. 197 by Septimius Severus for his Parthian campaign, was stationed at Rome and also at Alba Pompeia (modern Alba, Piedmont, Italy). The Carausian reference to this legion most probably refers to a vexillation or detachment of the main force that was under the command of Carausius in Gaul when he revolted against the Central Empire. The symbol of this legion was a Centaur.
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R1175 - The 'Romano-British Empire', Carausius (A.D.287-293) Bronze Antoninianus, 2.55g., Rotomagus mint (Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France), IMP C CARAVSIVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, rev., SALVS AVG, Salus standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae, sacrificing at altar, (RIC 666), good fine, rare. $495 NOW $295 SOLD

The distinctive issues of the Carausian mint at Rouen in Northern France are evidence of the usurpers attempt to maintain a foothold on the continent.
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Carausius Obverse Brockage

R718 - The 'Romano-British Empire', Carausius (A.D.287-293), Obverse Brockage, Bronze Antoninianus, 5.84g., London or 'C' or 'G' mint, draped, cuirassed and radiate bust right, IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG,  extremely fine, dark patina, an interesting mint error. $425

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RB74 – ROMAN BRITAIN, Allectus, (A.D. 293-296), Bronze Quinarius, 2.50g., 'C' or ‘G’ mint (Colchester?, Cirencester?, Gloucester?), IMP C ALLECTVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right, rev., VIRTVS AVG, galley with four oarsmen and mainmast right, QC or QG in exergue, (RIC 130), almost very fine. $595 NOW $446.25

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Historical Background
M. Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius was the naval commander in charge of the fleet charged with combating the threat of Frankish and Saxon pirates in the English Channel and the North Sea. Following allegations of piracy leveled against him by the emperor Maximianus, he proclaimed himself emperor in Britain and a small enclave in northern France. His innovative and varied coinage is a testament to his ability to hold together a separatist regime in Britain for six years until his murder by his own subordinate Allectus in A.D. 293. A master propagandist, as his coin types also reflect; he unilaterally assumed membership of Diocletian's collegiate government and even issued coins in the names of his fellow emperors at his two mints in Britain.
Claudius to Commodus Severan Campaigns Carausius and Allectus The London Mint under the Tetrarchy and Constantine I

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