Allectus. 293-296 AD. Ae Antoninianus. IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right. ® P M TR P II COS P P. Emperor standing left, holding olive branch and baton; S P in field; C in exergue. 22mm.

Antoninianus of Allectus, struck at the 'C' mint*. I belive this coin to be unique, as I and others can trace no other example. It is unlisted in the standard works, and of considerable numismatic interest.

RIC V (1933) states:
"No dated coins of Allectus are known, and he does not appear to have commemorated his vota or assumed consular or tribunician power or the office of Pontifex Maximus."

The present coin, which is of good style and appears to be an official product of the 'C' mint, establishes that Allectus did in fact assume both consular and tribunician power and also the office of Pontifex Maximus. As the coin denotes his second tribuniciate, it will date no earlier than the second year of his reign.

* The location of the mint indicated by the mintmark ’C’, found on coins of Carausius and Allectus, is uncertain, but numismatic opinion favours Camulodunum (Colchester).

Many thanks to Rod Blunt for his help with this coin.

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