At one time I had a fairly extensive collection of these impressive coins issued by Claudius - my favorite Julio-Claudian Emperor. Now I only have the following three. Not the most pretty looking specimens, but I cherish them due to their historical association. RIC Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 112, 50-54AD (36mm, 28.2gm) Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP PP Reverse depiction: Civic Oak Wreath Inscription in four lines: EX SC P P OB CIVES SERVATOS (within wreath) RIC VOl. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome No. 99, 41-50 AD, (36mm, 25.3gm) Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP Reverse depiction: Personification of Spes holding flower in right hand and demurely raising skirt with left hand Inscription: SPES AVGVSTA - S C (exergue) RIC Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 109, 42-43AD (38mm, 28.0gm) Obverse depiction: Nero Claudius Drusus (father of Claudius), bare head facing left Inscription: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP Reverse depiction: Claudius seated left on curule chair holding olive branch, panoply of weapons and armor beneath Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP PP - S C -
Lovely coins. Wasn’t that OB CIVES SERVATOS legend used for persons who had saved the life/lives of Roman citizens? Or was it just for generic public service?
Thank you Gavin. All of my references affirm that it originally was - often to soldiers of all ranks who had saved the life of a comrade. It was usually accompanied by award of the Civic Oak Wreath ……… [/quote] Again, my references assert that it was Augustus who first asked (or proclaimed) that it should also be awarded, again accompanied by the Civic Oak Wreath, under authority of the Senate to anyone who had “saved” the Roman citizenry at large, or rendered exemplary service to it. Claudius used the Civic Oak Wreath and citation as shown on the reverse of this sestertius to promote his service to the Empire - especially his recalling from exile, and restoring to them their land and civic status, numerous Roman citizens condemned by Caligula. Several of his statues depict Claudius wearing the Civic Oak leaf crown (Corona Civica). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudius
Well given his military campaigns in Britannia, he was probably more entitled to it than most. An underrated Emperor, I think.
Ah yes, Gavin. Here is my take on this (influenced by Josiah Osgood): “Claudius perceived that it was imperative for him to accomplish a great feat of arms in order to enhance his prestige with the Senate and prove himself worthy of the title of Augustus. His own father NERO CLAUDIUS DRUSUS and brother GERMANICUS had been acclaimed as great military leaders on the northern frontier and he was determined to emulate their successes. His predecessor (and nephew), CALIGULA, had set out to conquer Britain and add that island outpost to the Empire, but had failed. Now Claudius was determined to fulfill that mission and to that end in AD 43 he dispatched an advance force consisting of four legions commanded by a renowned general, AULUS PLAUTIUS, to invade Britain and engage the Britannic forces there. Shortly thereafter Claudius landed in Britain and assumed command of the army led by General Plautius. In short order Claudius accepted the surrender of the Britannic forces, appointed Plautius Governor of Britannia and subsequently returned to Rome to celebrate his Triumph.” My take-away is that it was indeed a “staged event” - I believe Plautius and his Legions had done most of the fighting and “sealed the deal” so to speak before Claudius set foot in Britain - it seems he was only in Britain for a few weeks (just maybe months). But our under-rated Emperor was no Warrior - he simply did what he had to do. The Senate and the Citizenry accepted him as a conquering Imperator - and that was all that mattered.
I agree, of course, Randy. Thank you for posting your Claudians. That upgrade coin is really nice - the reverse depiction of Libertas is spectacular.
My own adaptation of Roman Capitalis Monumentalis lettering (depicted in my avatar) is based on that employed on Julio-Claudian aes coins - particularly those of Caligula, Claudius and Nero - mostly Claudius.