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The break away empire of Carausius and Allectus came to an end in September 296 when Constantius Chlorus, also known as Constantius I, invaded Britain and brought it back into the Roman empire. Constantius didn’t mint any coins related to Britain, but he did mint a set of stunning gold medallions that were found in 1922 at Beaurains near Arras in France. Of these, there are four of interest to us here (and one later when we get to Constantine). You can see the original Spink and Son advert for electrotype copies here (bigger photos here and here).
The Arras Medallion
This is the most famous of the medallions, and the one that’s most securely related to Britain. It’s 42.55mm in diameter, weighs 52.88g, and is the equivalent of 10 aurei. It shows Constantius, armed with a spear, approaching the walls of London on horseback. We know it’s London because it helpfully says “LON”. Before him, a female figure (variously said to be Britannia or the personification of London) kneels in supplication. There’s a galley full of troops below Constantius to commemorate the two fleets who made the daring raid under the cover of fog. The legend translates to “Restorer of the Eternal Light” and celebrates Constantius bringing the province out of the darkness it had endured, and back to the blessings of roman civilisation.
Photo Copyright Classical Numismatic Group, LLC. E-Auction 460 lot 1047. Sold for $3,250+fees
Opinions vary as to the location of the original medallion, with the Museum of Arras and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris frequently given. However, CNG said in 2020 that the original was now lost.
The Other Three Arras Medallions
There are three smaller medallions in the hoard that are said to refer to Britain, but the link isn’t as secure as it is with the Arras Medallion, and may just be wishful thinking.
The first two, RIC 6 Treveri 32 (33mm, 26.86g) and RIC 6 Treveri 33 (34mm, 26.79g), probably celebrate the victory over Allectus, but there’s nothing in their inscriptions to prove this. Both medallions have the same reverse, but differ on the obverse, with Constantius wearing a stylish lion’s skin on his head in the former. The reverse shows the emperor, being crowned from behind by Victory, extending his hand to raise a female figure who is kneeling in supplication. It’s thought that this figure represents Britannia and that the medallion celebrates the victory over Allectus. It’s possible that the figure is the personification of London as it might have been on the Arras Medallion.
These medallions represent 5 aurei each.
Photo © Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Number 1928,0208.2
Photo © Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Number 1928,0208.1
The third medallion, RIC 6 Treveri 3 (27g), also represents 5 aurei and shows a nude Hercules striking a stag falling to the ground. The authors of the Spink advert selling copies said “this representation of one of the works of Hercules commemorates the glorious victory of Constantius Chlorus in Britain”. RIC 6 simply says “Hercules, right, kneeling on stag with left knee and holding its antlers”. It also dates it from 293 to 294 AD, which is 2-3 years before the defeat of Allectus, so this medallion is almost certainly not related to Britain at all.
Photo Copyright Classical Numismatic Group, LLC. E-Auction 367 lot 682. Sold for $525+fees
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