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The above item recently appeared on a couple of Facebook groups which is where the images came from. It is a single sided base metal disc, no legend around the periphery, with two busts, vis a vis, that are recognisable as Carausius and Allectus. The diameter is quoted as being 30mm and was amongst metal detector finds from North Yorkshire.
What could the item be? Perhaps it is the centre from a bimetallic medallion of some sorts and the outer ring with the legend is lost? The lack of anything on the reverse precludes this. Maybe, then, a phalera or other such applique with the attachment pieces lost, designed to be seen from one side only. Another suggestion is that it may be some sort of seal impression, unlikely, as it does not seem to be a soft material like lead.
It is unusual that the busts of Carausius and Allectus both feature,the former laureate, draped and cuirassed, right, viewed from the front, seemingly, and the latter laureate, draped and cuirassed left, viewed from the rear. The fact that Allectus is also laureate would suggest some parity in rank. Some have previously postulated that there was some sort of transition between the two rulers, even if Allectus was ultimately implicated in the demise of Carausius.
