Carus (AD 282-283). AV aureus (19mm, 4.47 gm, 12h). NGC AU 5/5 - 4/5. Siscia, ca. 282-283. IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Carus right, seen from front / VICTO-RIA AVG, Victory standing left on banded globe, wreath in outstretched right hand, palm branch cradled in left arm. RIC V.II 95. Calicó 4285a. Pleasant russet toning around the devices adds drama to Victory's pose on the reverse. A native of Narbo in southern Gaul, Carus was a career military man who rose through the ranks during the chaotic round of civil wars and invasions of the mid-third century AD, culminating in his appointment to Praetorian Prefect by Probus in AD 276. During late summer AD 282, he was mustering troops in Raetia when a groundswell of revolt swept through the ranks, perhaps prompted by Probus' demand that the soldiers keep themselves occupied with labor-intensive public works. The Gallic legions proclaimed Carus as Emperor, launching a chain-reaction which soon led to the murder of Probus. Carus bestowed the rank of Caesar on his two grown sons, Carinus and Numerian, and the army was pleased by the promise of a long-lived dynasty. After a quick campaign against the Sarmatians and Quadi, Carus pressed forward with his predecessor's plan to invade Persia and avenge the humiliating capture of Valerian, two decades previously. Preparing for the assault, Carus raised both of his sons to the rank of Augustus; Carinus remained at Rome while Numerian accompanied him on the eastern campaign. Long years of military innovation had once again turned the Roman army into an efficient killing machine, and the legions swept all before them in their march to the Persian capitol of Ctesiphon, which was captured and sacked. But at the apex of his triumph, Carus was found dead in his tent following a violent thunderstorm. His death was attributed to a lightning strike, although treachery by one of his officers seems more likely. His entire reign had lasted less than a year, and his two sons would not long survive him. The coin portraiture of Carus is interesting in that he is shown proudly bald-headed, where other allegedly bald rulers concealed their pates beneath wigs, wreaths or other headgear. HID09801242017 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

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