This was one of seven delightful finds at a US coin dealer's table at the World's Fair of Money. While I barely glance at Roman Imperials of this era, I do seek Alexandrians of these rulers. No one set of pictures captures the rich chocolate beauty, deep detail, and high relief of this coin although this comes pretty close: I'm so accustomed to seeing ratty fabric, poor strikes, and corrosion on these Alexandrian coins that finding one in such good condition is a great treat. EGYPT, Alexandria. Claudius II Gothicus year 1, 268 AD tetradrachm Obv: AVTKKΛAVΔIOCCEB; laureate draped bust right Rev: Eagle standing right, head left, wreath in beak; L A in right field Ref: Emmett 3878(1), R1 Here's another of my favorite Alexandrian tetradrachms, also a Claudius II. It was a wonderful surprise among a large mixed lot from Stack's Bowers in 2013. Tyche is exceptionally well rendered. EGYPT, Alexandria. Claudius II Gothicus year 3, 269/70 AD tetradrachm, 20 mm, 10.2 gm Obv: AVTKKΛAVΔIOCCEB; laureate head right Rev: Tyche standing left with rudder and cornucopia; L Γ in left field Ref: Emmett 3896 (3), R4 Claudius earned his moniker, Gothicus, by leading a decisive victory over the Goths in the Battle of Naissus. A career military man, upon Gallienus's death in 268 the army raised Claudius to emperor. He continued his successful military campaigns but succumbed two years later to a plague, possibly smallpox. Post your Claudius Gothicus examples
Both are nice examples. I tend to stay away from these cause of BD. Had nothing but issues with these types. My only claudius ii
They are both outstanding, but that first coin is truly magnificent. That has to be one of the best portraits of Claudius II I've ever seen. Congrats. I have one with the same kind of chocolate patina: CLAUDIUS II (GOTHICUS) Antoninianus OBVERSE: IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped bust right REVERSE: SPES PVBLICA, Spes walking left, holding flower and raising robe, P in ex. Struck at Mediolanum, 268-69 AD 2.8g, 19.9mm RIC 168
Both coins are quite fantastic but the first is quite stunning for the period. An incredibly well done portrait. I have always thought that the portraits from this period tend to look like they gone a couple too many rounds with Ivan Drago
Wow, coin-sista => that's a super cool Claudius II (Gothicus) => I love the crisp Alexandrian look (very, very cool coin ... congrats) ... ummm, quite a bit jealous
I have not seen anything like that first one. Amazing! There is a lot of variation between the mints of Claudius. Some of his die work was bad; some atrocious. Striking workmanship was equally bad in many cases. This is my favorite: Aurelian followed and soon reformed the mint at Rome. From the look of the work from late Gallienus to early Aurelian, heads needed to roll. Claudius has the highest percentage of clashed dies of any emperor, I believe. Below is one of my nicer coins.
Thanks for the coin love, everyone! This coin ties with one of JA's zombie fourees as my favorite "bad" coin. It's spectacularly horrible yet still identifiable. If you ever decide to sell it... That's a unusual portrait. I wonder what the man really looked like... stocky, athletic, and formidable as portrayed in the Egyptian coins or delicate geek as seen in many of the Imperials. I have silicone molding compound and chocolate...might be fun to make some edible Alexandrians
Eh-heh-heh ... geeesh, my nasty ol' Claudius Gothicus looks like it might have been eaten and then thrown back up afterwards!! (it doesn't look nearly as edible as your sweet treat!!)
TIF is right. Coins of Claudius II from Alexandria are usually without much artistic or technical merit. Her first one has a wonderful intense expression on a very well-struck coin. This one, superficially similar, is not so nice.
Your coin with Tyche is really lovely. I've been thinking about it ever since you first posted it, and comparing ones to it that I've been thinking of buying. I'm not much for eagles, but this one is truly remarkable. You really have an eye for these TIF. Congrats!
Another amazing Claudius II tet . I have to say I find many of the later Alexandrian tet portraits troglodyte-ish and unappealing, but this one is really exceptional. I have more Claudius IIs than I care to admit (none from Alexandria) but this one has one of my favorite portraits of him..
