CLAUDIUS, A.D. 41-54. AE Sestertius (29.63 gms), Rome Mint, A.D. 42-43. NGC VF★, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Light Smoothing. https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/l...3-ngc-vf-strike-55-surface-45-light-smoothing
Love the portrait. One of mine with similar portrait facing left: CLAUDIUS AE As OBVERSE: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TRP IMP P P - Bare head left REVERSE: CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI - Constantia standing left, raising hand and holding spear; S C across fields Struck at Spain, 42/3AD 12.7g, 25mm RIC111, BMC201, S1858
Congratulations! That is an exceptional Claudius Sestertius. I had it on my watchlist but did not bid. I watch Stack's closely because they often miss important provenances and publication history (I've found quite a few like that from them). I think this one is probably published long before the cited Glendining 1981 sale. I just didn't have time to find it, or else I would've bid! This coin has "the look" of the ones you can find in important early 20th century auctions (e.g., Naville-Ars Classica), published collections (e.g., Mazzini), and/or other references (e.g., the Banti volumes). Once you find it, I'm curious to know where! Here's my Claudius Sestertius of this type -- but an imitative (?). Used to be Al Kowsky's, who posted it here some years back. (Before that, Richard Baker Countermark Collection.) Also NGC -- but with no star! (Though I would've awarded one to NCAPR countermark!) I don't have that many NGC coins, but I do have one with a ★ To be honest, I think the star is the reason I haven't cracked this one out, even though I'd like to properly photograph it, find out the weight, and submit to RPC:
Interesting that NGC notes "lt smoothing" yet still gives it the hard-to-earn star and 4/5 surfaces. Nice coin!
That's an impressive Sestertius @lordmarcovan! I don't have Spes on a Claudius coin, but for some reason I do have more than one As with Libertas who has been an inspiration in modern time, e.g. the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Island). Rome, January 42 – 43 AD; Claudius became Pater Patriae in January 42 AD 28 x 29.5 mm, 9.353 g RIC I (2nd edition) 113; BN II, 104, 230; Cohen 47; Ob.: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP PP bare head l. Rev.: LIBERTAS AVGVSTA Libertas, wearing long dress, standing facing, head r., holding pileus in her extended r. hand; S C across field
I just have this Claudius, a dupondius with Ceres : and this Nero Drusus sestertius, with Claudius seated on a curule chair :
I quite like the patina and the "Imperial" look on that portrait of Claudius. Congratulations! I have a few Claudius coins, but this is the only one I have pictures of: ex CNG a long time ago.
Fantastic portait, congratulations! I was trying my luck on the denarius of Drusus in that auction. It had quite a serious case of pitted obverse, so I was hoping that the slab-lovers would skip it. But alas, they did not and my bid was destroyed. Claudius indeed has a big neck. It is said he had physical issues. It still amazes me that especially the earlier emperors went for life like portaits without any plastic surgery. Unlike Augustus, who pimped his face on the coins. Anyway, here's my sesterius of this under-appreciated emperor, with bad taste in women. I love the patina on this one. Your portrait is of better style, I think.
