Alexander of Carthage. Usurper, AD 308-310. Æ Follis (21mm, 5.42 g, 5h). Carthago (Carthage) mint. 2nd bronze issue, spring-summer AD 310.

CNG Feature Auction 118
Lot: 1163. Estimated: $ 3 000

Roman Imperial, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 8 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Alexander of Carthage. Usurper, AD 308-310. Æ Follis (21mm, 5.42 g, 5h). Carthago (Carthage) mint. 2nd bronze issue, spring-summer AD 310. IMP ALEXAND[ER P F A]VG, laureate head right / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, aquila between signum surmounted by hand on left and signum surmounted by wreath on right; [PK]. RIC VI 72; Malingue 12.a#4 (dies V/12.a-B – this coin). Brown patina, slightly off center. Near EF. Bold portrait, most of his name is clear. Rare.

Ex Stacks Bowers Galleries (14 May 2018), lot 70113; Chirty-le-Fort Hoard, no. 20 (found in France, 2007).

The first imperial mint in Carthage was opened by Maximian in AD 297 in order to lead a campaign against rebelling tribes in Mauretania. His son, Maxentius, unconvinced of African loyalties, closed it in early 308. The Carthaginian troops who rose against Maxentius proclaimed the Vicar of the Praetorian Prefect for Africa, Alexander of Carthage, otherwise known as Lucius Domitius Alexander, Emperor. Domitius Alexander then reopened the Carthage mint, starting production on a wonderful variety of folles or nummi. 17 reverse types were produced within two years, compared to 5 reverse types for the previous 10 years. Maxentius sent an army to Africa in the fall of AD 310, defeated Domitius Alexander, and recovered the province. The Carthage mint was then permanently closed. No more Roman Imperial coins were struck in Africa until the Byzantine Empire.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 118 lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 September 2021. CNG Feature Auction 118 – Session Four – Roman Imperial Coinage Part 2 through Antiquities will be held Tuesday afternoon, 14 September 2021 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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