This posthumous commemorative of Antonia, the wife of Nero Claudius Drusus, was issued under her son, Claudius. Antonia, Augusta AD 37 and 41. Roman orichalcum dupondius, 12.10 gm, 28.3 mm. Rome, AD 41-50. Obv: ANTONIA AVGVSTA, bust of Antonia, draped and bare-headed right, hair in long plait. Rev: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP S C, Claudius, veiled and togate, standing left, holding simpulum in right hand. Refs: RIC 92; BMC 166; Cohen Antonia 6; RCV 1902; CBN 143; Carson 405. Although modern numismatists agree that Claudius is represented by the figure on the reverse, the identity of the figure on the reverse was thought to be Antonia in some older works. Take, for example, the listing for this coin in the catalog of Sulzer's collection: The description of the reverse is translated, "Antonia in priestly dress standing holding simpulum in right hand." Claudius is here depicted as priest of Divus Augustus.[2] Carson postulates, "The priestly attributes of Claudius here presumably reflect the fact that Antonia had been priestess of the cult of the deified Augustus."[3] Two versions of this coin were struck, differing in reverse legend. On the second issue, the reverse legend reads "... IMP P P" instead of "...IMP." Post your Antonia coins or anything you feel is relevant! Notes: 1. Sulzer, Johann Caspar, and Jacob Sulzer. Numophylacium Sulzerianum numos antiquos Graecos et Romanos aureos argenteos aereos sis tens olim Iacobi Sulzeri. Ettinger, 1777, p. 41. Available online here. 2. Vagi, David L. Coinage and History of the Roman Empire. Vol. 1, Coinworld, 1999, p. 253. 3. Carson, R A G, Principal coins of the Romans: Volume II: The Principate 31 BC - AD 296. London, BMP, 1978, p. 21.
Nice pick up RC, love the patina. Caligula, with Antonia, Æ22 of Thessalonica, Macedon. AD 37-41. Γ KAIΣAP θEΣΣAΛONIKEΩN, laureate head left / ANTΩNIA ΣEBAΣTH, veiled and draped bust of Antonia left, wearing stephane. RPC I 1574. 9.28g, 21mm, 12h.
