Thanks everyone! Claudius is hard to come by. At most I would have made a lessor offer. I'm committed at this point to collect the 12 Caesars in Silver. Just like AngelEyes in the "Good the Bad and the Ugly" lol I always finish the job I start! So far the Job has been Ugly as most of you know!
Getting the 12 Caesars in silver does not require a Claudius denarius. For half the price of your proposed coin, I bought the below Claudius AR cistophorus, which is larger and more impressive than a denarius in hand. Granted, I bought this over 10 years ago, and it might be more expensive today! But in general, Claudius cistophori are cheaper than comparable grade denarii.
Thanks for the "Heads Up" Bing and Carausius The Cistophous won't work for the way I want to display them. I found an official issue flouree denarius same weight3.0 grams and size 18mm on V's sister site I think I will buy it and spend more on a quality Caligula! I saw the Nero Cludius, Bing,, nice coin wish he was a Caesar!
Whenever you post a photo of a coin you think is cast, SHOW THE EDGE! That is the first place to look. Does the coin have a seam or is the edge filed. My mistake, you don't have the coin yet.
Lately, my in-bound coins from Israel have been FOREVER to get here. One of mine was almost 8 weeks. Evidently new Israeli antiquities laws are causing anything ancient exported to be scrutinized then licensed. It is not the dealer's fault, rather the gov't (as usual).
While nothing approaching the wonderful coin shown by @Carausius, there is one other (sort of) cheap (sort of) silver Claudius. This year 6 (45-46 AD) Alexandrian billon tetradrachm shows the reverse of Messalina, then the wife of Claudius. In her outstretched hand are two small figures of her children (Claudia Octavia and Britannicus). Those interested in buying this type might want to hold out for a better strike on the kids. They are at the edge of the flan on many coins of the type. These were issued for five years (2-6) and are not hard to find.
Excellent point. Some of these 12 Caesars can be had in provincial Billon tetradrachms for much less than in denarii. I may eventually go down that route for some of them. I'd love to have the early emperors, but not at $1000+ per coin when I can get them in provincial coinage for a lot less and leave room in my budget to also get other awesome coins.