Divus Carus Consecration

This extremely rare coin was struck by Carus’ sons Carinus and Numerian in the few short months between his death and their respective untimely ends. Soon after his accession, Carus raised his elder son to share imperial duties as Caesar, allowing him to travel east with Numerian to campaign against the Sassanid Persians. His death in 283 cut short a promising expedition in which the Roman army was able to make huge incursions into Persian lands, and even capture the capital Ctesiphon. Numerian withdrew from Persia after the death of his father, and subsequently died in mysterious circumstances during the journey west. Diocletian, previously an officer under Carus, was proclaimed emperor by the army and proceeded to continue the march west, meeting Carinus’ army in battle in Moesia and emerging as sole emperor to claim the Empire for himself. CONSECRATIO-Consecratio:Consecration.