Here's my latest acquisition from Ancient Imports: Roman Empire, Rome mint. AE dupondius (26mm, 9.47g). Antonia, struck under Claudius (41-54 AD). Obverse: Bust of Antonia right, ANTONIA [AVGVSTA] around. Reverse: Claudius standing togate and veiled, holding simpulum, [TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP] around, SC to sides. RIC (Claudius) 92. Antonia Minor, often called simply Antonia, was at the center of the complicated Julio-Claudian family tree. Just to list her most important connections: she was the daughter of Marc Antony, niece of Augustus, sister-in-law of Tiberius, mother of Claudius, grandmother of Caligula, and both great-grandmother and great-aunt of Nero. She was born in 36 BC, the younger of two daughters of Marc Antony and Octavia. Unfortunately her father ran off with Cleopatra, divorcing his (no longer politically useful) wife and abandoning his children. She grew up raised by her mother, as well as her uncle and aunt (Augustus and Livia). The subsequent intrigues among the family are fascinating and very complicated; if you want to know more, watch the 1970s BBC adaptation of "I, Claudius", or better yet, read Robert Graves' book. Antonia managed until 37 AD, when she had a falling-out with her grandson Caligula, who had recently ascended to the throne. She ultimately took her own life at age 73, though Suetonius says that Caligula may also have tried to poison her. When her son Claudius became emperor in 41 AD, he had her posthumously declared Augusta, and paid her many honors, including issuing coinage in her name. Based on her portrait, she was probably never a great beauty, but she does have the strong, dignified countenance of a survivor. I bought this coin from Ancient Imports (Marc Breitsprecher) for $85. I think it is a good example of how a coin with considerable wear can still have an appealing look. This coin was sold as an as, although RIC and other sources seem to indicate that the type was only used on a dupondius. Normally the dupondius was struck in a brassy alloy (orichalcum) rather than the red copper of the as. Since this coin looks coppery and not at all brassy, it does seem more like an as. Unfortunately, the two denominations are of roughly the same weight, so we can't use that to decide, and a radiate crown was only used on dupondii of emperors, not other family members. I will probably catalogue it as a dupondius, unless I can find convincing evidence to the contrary. Please share your coins of Antonia, or anything else relevant.
I still need one of these. Worn? Okay, but it just leaves more to the imagination, right? Congratulations.
Great little bio you've written about her, @Parthicus This is my only Antonia coin, just like yours but with a mottled patina: Antonia, wife of Nero Claudius Drusus, Augusta AD 37 and 41 Roman orichalcum Dupondius, 12.10 gm, 28.3 mm Rome, under son, Claudius, AD 41-50 Obv: ANTONIA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right Rev: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR, Claudius, veiled and togate, standing left, holding simpulum Refs: RIC 92; Sear 1902; BMC 166
Nice, I just have a Tet, which suits me fine. Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm EGYPT, Alexandria O: TI KLA[UDI KAIS SEBA GERMANI AUTOKR], laureate head of Claudius right; LB to right. R: ANTWNIA SEBASTH, draped bust of Antonia right, wearing hair in long plait. Dated RY 2 (41/2 AD) 23mm 11.62g Dattari 114; Milne 61-64; Emmett 73.
Nice Parthicus, although worn you can still see her portrait quite well, congrats as a scarce coin. I got a Macedon Antonia with bad boy Caligula on the other side.
Antonia's always one nice to have, good catch Antonia, As Restitution of Claudius ANTONIA AVGVSTA, bust of Antonia right TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP, Claudius standing left, holding simpulum. SC in field 11,37 gr Ref : RCV #1902, Cohen #6 Q
Nice score @Parthicus! I also have one of those, which I bought because I love the portrait on the obverse. AE dupondius 11.82gm - 29 mm
Antonia is one of the roman "rulers" that I just have none... I hope that not for much time! Congrats for the coin! All the coins presented here are very appreciable. By the way, I'm very fresh here. I know that this is not the right place to ask, but how can I post some pics directly from my cell phone (IPhone)? Can you help me? Thanks, Paulo Gerritsen Plaggert
Super pickup of this tough to get coin @Parthicus ! I have one: RI ANTONIA Minor AVGVSTA d-Marc Antony w-Nero Claudius Drusus AE Dupondius 28mm 11.8g togate holding simpulum S-C
While much lower grade, I recall selecting mine because I liked the colors of orichalcum and patina (not green). It has been with me for 30 years.
