Orange Julius Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 4, 2023 (edited) One of my favorite passages from Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire on the emperor Carus: “He gives audience to the Pesian ambassadors. The successor of Artaxerxes, Varanes, or Bahram, though he had subdued the Segestans, one of the most warlike nations of Upper Asia,was alarmed at the approach of the Romans, and endeavoured to retard their progress by a negotiation of peace. His ambassadors entered the camp about sunset, at the time when the troops were satisfying their hunger with a frugal repast. The Persians expressed their desire of being introduced to the presence of the Roman emperor. They were at length conducted to a soldier who was seated on the grass. A piece of stale bacon and a few hard peas composed his supper. A coarse woollen garment of purple was the only circumstance that announced his dignity. The conference was conducted with the same disregard of courtly elegance. Carus, taking off a cap which he wore to conceal his baldness, assured the ambassadors that, unless their master acknowledged the superiority of Rome, he would speedily render Persia as naked of trees as his own head was destitute of hair. Notwithstanding some traces of art and preparation, we may discover in this scene the manners of Carus, and the severe simplicity which the martial princes who succeeded Gallienus had already restored in the Roman camps. The ministers of the Great King trembled and retired.” I just love imagining this scene. The emperor of Rome, sitting there in the grass, snacking… and making threats to the Persians while making fun of his own baldness. Heres a new-ish coin of Carus.LOOK AT THAT BALD HEAD!!! I’m having a bit of trouble nailing down the most recent thoughts on mint city. I believe the coin is RIC 124, which seems to be associated with both Siscia and Antioch. Let me know if you have thoughts to add. As always, pile on coins of bald or balding emperors, people with wigs, or coins of Carus! Edited February 4, 2023 by Orange Julius 25 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 4, 2023 …and to double the baldness… here’s an Alexandrian tetradrachm showing his shinny head too. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kali Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 4, 2023 Carus (282- 285 A.D.) Ӕ Antoninianus O: IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG; Radiate and cuirassed bust right. R: VIRTVS AVGG; Soldier standing left, leaning on shield and holding spear. In ex. ΓKA Rome Mint 23mm 3.7g RIC V(b) Rome 45 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted February 4, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 4, 2023 Here is my only Carus. As one who is folicly-challenged, he isn't bald enough for my liking. I want a balder example but this will do for now 🙂 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted February 4, 2023 · Patron Share Posted February 4, 2023 (edited) Fun topic, @Orange Julius, and interesting and informative write-up! Nice coins, too! Dude is really bald on this one from Antioch. Carus, AD 282-283. Roman billon Antoninianus, 3.57 g, 21 mm, 6 h. Antioch, AD 282. Obv: IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: VIRTVS AVGG, emperor standing right, holding parazonium and receiving Victory on globe from Carinus (or Jupiter) standing left, holding scepter; A//XXI . Refs: RIC 124C; Cohen 116; RCV 12188. Not so much on this one from Ticinum. Carus, AD 282-283. Roman billon antoninianus, 3.46 g, 21.1 mm, 1 h. Ticinum, 1st officina, 2nd emission, AD 282. Obv: IMP CARVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: PAX EXERCITI, Pax standing left, holding branch and signum; PXXI in exergue. Refs: RIC 75F; Cohen 56; RCV --; Pink VI/2, p. 28. Edited February 4, 2023 by Roman Collector Spelling. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted February 4, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 4, 2023 So far I've noticed that everyone's portrait, except mine, has a rather prominent forehead. Seems that most engravers thought Carus looked like a beluga whale: 5 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted February 4, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 4, 2023 Carus Antoninian, Antiochia Obv.: IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev.: VIRTVS AVGG / XXI, Carus and Carinus standing with scepter, holding victory on globe, star above, Γ below 4.28g, 21.1mm Ref.: RIC 125 16 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 4, 2023 (edited) I got my 3 imperial coins of Carus, Carinus and Numerian from the same auction. I like the Carus coin despites its flaws, especially because the portrait (showing the bald head) and the detailed cuirass Carus AD 282-283. Struck December AD 282 - February AD 283. Ticinium Antoninianus Æ 22 mm, 3,36 g IMP CARVS P F AVG, bust of Carus, radiate, cuirassed, right / SPES PVBLICA, Spes, draped, walking left, holding flower in right hand and raising robe with left hand Mintmark: /-//SXXI RIC V Carus 82 Edited February 4, 2023 by ambr0zie 17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted February 4, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 4, 2023 An old employee of mine used to love saying, "God made a few perfect heads. The rest he covered with hair." 15 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted February 4, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 4, 2023 (edited) ..the only other i'm aware of in the receding hairline is this fella's coins...(not my coin....yet:D) Edited February 4, 2023 by ominus1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted February 4, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 4, 2023 The grass dosen't grow on a busy street ... Antoninianus of Carus... 15 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 4, 2023 (edited) I like coins of Carus. A long time ago I sold this coin to a friend and a few years later he sold it back to me. I think he decided didn't like the portrait. He was right--it is not very attractive. The Tripolis mint is known for poor portraits. RIC 128, Tripolis mint. Here is a website on coins of Tripolis:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Tripolis/ Here is a website about how the coins of the family of Carus are assigned dates:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Carus/ Edited February 4, 2023 by Valentinian Added RIC number 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cazador Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 4, 2023 24 minutes ago, Valentinian said: I like coins of Carus. A long time ago I sold this coin to a friend and a few years later he sold it back to me. I think he decided didn't like the portrait. He was right--it is not very attractive. The Tripolis mint is known for poor portraits. RIC 128, Tripolis mint. Here is a website on coins of Tripolis:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Tripolis/ Here is a website about how the coins of the family of Carus are assigned dates:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Carus/ Fantastic, one of the finest I have seen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted February 4, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 4, 2023 20 hours ago, Orange Julius said: As always, pile on coins of bald or balding emperors, people with wigs, or coins of Carus! Carus, Posthumous antoninianus - Lugdunum, 2nd officina, 284-285 CE DIVO CARO PIO, Radiate head of Carus right CONSECRATIO, Eagle facing, II at exergue 3.50 gr Ref : Cohen #18, RCV #12394 Q 14 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kali Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 4, 2023 Carus (282- 285 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Potin Tetradrachm O: A K MA KAΡOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: Dikaiosyne standing left holding scales and cornucopiae, LA to left. 20mm 6.99g Sear RCV (2005) 12197; Milne 4660. 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted February 5, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 5, 2023 (edited) Carus, looking quite bereft of hair for someone who clearly isn't being portrayed as an elderly man: Carus, silvered AE Antoninianus, late Autumn 282 [second son, Numerian, elevated to Caesar] - Autumn 283 AD [death of Carus], Antioch Mint (1st Officina). Obv. Radiate bust right, IMP C M AVR CARVS PF AVG/ Rev. VIRTUS AVGGG, Carus, standing right, receives Victory from Jupiter standing left, holding long scepter, star in upper field, A in lower middle field (= 1st Officina, Antioch Mint), XXI in exergue [20/1 copper/silver ratio of alloy]. RIC V-2 125(A), Sear RCV III 12190, ERIC II 141, Cohen 117. 20.25 mm., 3.59 g. [For the dating of Carus’s coins with AVGGG reverse (issued at Antioch mint only), see http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Carus.] Edited February 5, 2023 by DonnaML 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted February 5, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 5, 2023 If I were to be portrayed on an ancient coin, I think I would most look like Carus. My Alexandrian Carus seems to have at least a bit of hair on top. What am I doing wrong with my Carus collecting? 12 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 5, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 5, 2023 (edited) 11 hours ago, ominus1 said: ..the only other i'm aware of in the receding hairline is this fella's coins...(not my coin....yet:D) As for other bald or balding emperors… Otho wore a bad wig due to baldness and we’ve all heard the stories of Julius Caesar wearing laurels as he was a bit touchy about his retreating hairline. Am I missing anyone else? I don’t have any coins that show those two. My only other photographed coin of Carus has patchy silvering where it’s hard to see his fantastic forehead. Edited February 5, 2023 by Orange Julius 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 5, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 5, 2023 5 hours ago, Kali said: Carus (282- 285 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Potin Tetradrachm O: A K MA KAΡOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: Dikaiosyne standing left holding scales and cornucopiae, LA to left. 20mm 6.99g Sear RCV (2005) 12197; Milne 4660. Our tetradrachms are twins! Great coin! 👯♀️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 5, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 5, 2023 6 hours ago, Qcumbor said: Carus, Posthumous antoninianus - Lugdunum, 2nd officina, 284-285 CE DIVO CARO PIO, Radiate head of Carus right CONSECRATIO, Eagle facing, II at exergue 3.50 gr Ref : Cohen #18, RCV #12394 Q That is a beautiful coin! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted February 5, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 5, 2023 Galba was described as very bald and this coin appears to confirm. Galba, 68-69 As Tarraco (?) September to December 68, Æ 27mm., 11.17g. Laureate head r., with globe at point of the bust. Rev. Libertas standing l., holding pileus in r. hand and rod in l. C #. RIC 73. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted February 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 6, 2023 7 hours ago, Dafydd said: Galba was described as very bald and this coin appears to confirm. This very expensive ($37,500) Galba sestertius from CNG suggests his hair was thinning or maybe he had a widow's peak:https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6982435 This one from Leu (merely $10,000) suggests he had all his hair:https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5992528 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted February 6, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 6, 2023 Otho and his wig Otho Denarius, Rome, AD 69 Obv.: IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TRP, Bare head right Rev.: SECVRITAS PR, Securitas standing left, holding wreath and sceptre Ag, 3.28g, 19x17mm Ref.: RIC² 8, RIC 8, Kankelfitz 3 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted February 7, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 7, 2023 I think Carus doesn't come much balder than this: 5 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted February 7, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 7, 2023 ... but on this coin he seems to have a full head of hair: 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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