Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire

Carinus caesar, 282 – 283. Aureus, Siscia 282, AV 4.44 g. M AVR CARINVS NOB CAES Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust l., holding spear and shield decorated with horseman and fallen enemy motif. Rev. MARS V – LTOR Mars striding r., holding spear and shield. C 50. RIC 188. Calicó 4349 (these dies).
Very rare and among the finest specimens known. A spectacular portrait and a lovely
reddish tone, virtually as struck and almost Fdc

From a private American collection.
Carinus is, perhaps, one of the underrated evil-doers of the Roman Empire. If the words of the historian Eutropius are of any value, this emperor's reputation was terrible: "He put to death very many innocent men on false charges, seduced the wives of nobles and even ruined those of his school fellows who had taunted him at school, even with trivial banter." (Breviarium IX.19). The histories are persistent about his seemingly insatiable desire for women. The Historia Augusta reports that he was married and divorced nine times, and that he abandoned some of his wives while they were pregnant. We must, of course temper our view, as it is a fact that history is written by the victor. Considering Carinus was overthrown by Diocletian, who subsequently ruled with unquestioned supremacy for two decades, we might suspect that Carinus was unfairly maligned to add greater justification for the revolt of Diocletian who, after all, was little more than just another usurper when his army hailed him emperor against the legitimate emperor Carinus.