Potin Tetradrachm - Carus - Alexandria - Dikaiosyne (Aequitas) Reverse

This billon tetradrachm was struck at Alexandria under Carus, who reigned from 282 to 283 AD. The regnal date L A in the upper left field marks it as a first-year issue, dating it to 282 AD. The obverse shows the laureate, cuirassed bust of Carus viewed from the front, with a Greek legend giving his imperial titles, in keeping with Alexandria's long tradition of striking its own Greek-legended coinage separate from the rest of the empire.

The reverse depicts Dikaiosyne, the Greek personification of justice and the Alexandrian equivalent of the Roman Aequitas, holding scales in her right hand and a cornucopia in her left. The scales represent fair judgment and equitable rule, while the cornucopia signals prosperity flowing from just governance. Together the two attributes present Carus's rule as both righteous and materially beneficial to his subjects.

18.5 mm

6.70 g