AE Antoninianus, A.D. 282-283, Siscia, 22.4mm, 3.73g, 180°, RIC Vii 125c.
Obv: IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VIRTVS AVGGG. Carus on left receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter on right, holding scepter; */A in field, XXI in ex.
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Marcus Aurelius Carus Augustus was Roman Emperor from 282 to 283. Carus was probably born at Narbo (modern Narbonne) in Gaul, but was educated at Rome. He was a senator, and had filled various civil and military posts before he was appointed prefect of the Praetorian Guard by the emperor Probus in 282. After the murder of Probus at Sirmium, Carus was proclaimed emperor by the soldiers. Although Carus avenged the death of Probus, he was himself suspected of having been an accessory. He does not seem to have returned to Rome after his accession, but contented himself with an announcement of the fact to the Senate.

Bestowing the title of Caesar upon his sons Carinus and Numerian, he left Carinus in charge of the western portion of the empire, and took Numerian with him on the expedition against the Persians, which had been previously planned by Probus. Having defeated the Quadi and Sarmatians on the Danube, for which he was given the title Germanicus Maximus, Carus proceeded through Thrace and Asia Minor, annexed Mesopotamia, pressed on to Seleucia and Ctesiphon, and marched his soldiers beyond the Tigris. The Sassanid King Bahram II, limited by internal opposition, could not effectively defend his territory. For his victories, which avenged all the previous defeats suffered by the Romans against the Sassanids, Carus received the title of Persicus Maximus.

Carus' hopes of further conquest were cut short by his death. One day, after a violent storm, it was announced that he was dead. His death was variously attributed to disease, lightning strike, or a wound received in a campaign against the Persians. The fact that he was leading a victorious campaign, and that his son Numerian succeeded him without opposition, suggest that his death may have been due to natural causes.