Featured My sub-collection of Julio-Claudian Sestertii

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 advanced force consisting of four legions commanded by renowned General and Senator AULUS PLAUTIUS (assisted by the future Emperor VESPASIAN) to invade Britain and engage the Britannic forces there.

Shortly thereafter Claudius landed in Britain and assumed command of the army. In short order (he only remained in Britain for two weeks) Claudius accepted the surrender of the Britannic forces, appointed Plautius Governor of Britannia and subsequently returned to Rome to celebrate his Triumph and enhance his entitlement by the Senate as Father of the Country - PATER PATRIAE (PP), and exalted servant of the People - OB CIVES SERVATOS.


Sestertius, RIC Vol. I, 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)


Claudius approved the use of countermarked sestertii, dupondii and asses in order to extend the supply of money after his invasion and conquest of Britain in 43AD. Here is a typically much worn example:


BMCRE, Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 120, 41-45AD (38mm, 29.2gm)

Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP

Countermarked PROB (Probatum - temporarily accepted) deeply stamped at 4 o’clock on obverse.

Mattingly note - Cmk. in oblong incuse in front of neck and face; end of legend obliterated

Reverse depiction: Civic Oak Wreath
Inscription in four lines:

EX SC
O B
C I V E S
SERVATOS
(within Civic Oak Wreath)

 

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Not a Sestertius or a Roman coin - in fact it is a Britannic/Celtic coin - but I want to include it here because of its possible historical connection to the Claudius invasion of Britain.


British Celtic coin - uniface silver unit - minted by the Corieltavi tribe
ABC 1938; Van Arsdell 914, 15.27 mm, .99 gram, circa. 15-40 AD

Obverse depiction: none (plain surface).

Reverse depiction: stylized horse galloping left (head of horse off flan, left).
Inscription: AVN above, [CO - obliterated] below (AVN COST - Corieltavi king).


Illustrating head of horse (and AVN)
on flan of a better centered coin.

Cataloged in the British Museum collection:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1991-1110-138

This coin is contemporaneous with the Queen of the Brigantes tribe, Cartimandua, and her association with the conquest of Britain by Claudius and his Generals. This coin could possibly have been used by her tribe who did not mint their own coins but who were close allies with the Corieltavi tribe and traded extensively with them.

The main resistence to the Roman invasion force was provided by a rebellious British tribal force led by a chieften named Caratacus who conducted a kind of guerilla warfare against the Roman Invaders for several years. He was finally captured and sent to Rome to be executed. In the end, however, Claudius magnanimously saved his life after Caratacus made an impassioned speech to the Senate. The speech made a great impression on Claudius who commuted his death sentence and permitted Caratacus to live the rest of his life as a freedman in Rome.

Eventually the queen of the British Celtic iceni tribe, Boudicea, became the inspirational leader of a rebel force that opposed and harassed the Roman invaders, until she was captured and executed by the Roman invaders.

Cartimandua, on the other hand, took the path of aiding Claudius and eventually became his ally, thereby hoping to benefit from that alliance monetarily, and by favorable treatment of her people.

Background information: The Time Travellers (UK) Brigantes study group:
http://www.thetimetravellers.org.uk/brigantes-group.html

 

Nice sestertii!

James, I enjoyed reading the information about your sub-collection.

@IMP Shogun, I acquired a nearly unrecognizable example of that coin mostly for its very clear NCAPR countermark. It was nice to see your coin with so much detail preserved! Thanks for posting the link to Gary R. Wilson's article on the associated earthquake.

 

Thank you Carl! And thank you especially for posting the pic of that spectacular countermark - the best one I have seen.

 

Carl, your above post reminds me that I wanted re-emphasize that not all Julio-Claudian Sestertii exhibit that beautiful golden yellow patinated orichalcum (the alloyed bronze used to cast the planchets), in fact quite a number of unearthed buried discoveries have very dark, sometimes almost black, shiny surfaces - it mostly depends on the composition of the substrate (soil etc.) where they were buried or deposited. Examples: