I made a quick post regarding my latest pickup but I thought it deserved a thread of its own since it's quite a standout piece for my collection! I've always been fascinated by Claudius' story, someone who was looked down at and ridiculed by the rest of his family because they believed he was an imbecile unworthy of achieving great things only to wind up becoming emperor himself and rule with a steady, capable hand for the next thirteen years after surviving numerous purges that liquidated everyone around him since he was perceived as just that little of a threat by the powers that be. I find it inspirational seeing someone who was treated unfairly most of his life become the most powerful man in the world, it's almost Cinderella-like in a way. I really like the composition of this coin and how the legends surround the central figures, which aren't all visible but I at least get the idea of what they are. It's been a bit of a hunt trying to find a coin of this emperor that balanced quality with affordability and I think this was the best one I could've chosen. I've seen coins that may be more pristine but are also more expensive, I've also seen coins that may be cheaper but are also rough slugs I wouldn't be happy with keeping in the long term for this significant a figure. This is definitely a nice sweet spot for me. Anyone else have a coin of Claudius? Claudius Reign: A.D. 41-54. Denomination: Æ As. Diameter: 28 mm. Weight: 10.09 grams. Mint: Rome, A.D. 41-42. Obverse: Bare head left. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP Reverse: Libertas standing right, holding pileus and extending hand. LIBERTAS AVGVSTA SC Reference: RIC 97.
I've also got a soft spot for C-C-Claudius, ever since reading Robert Graves' novels I, Claudius and Claudius the God years ago. Accordingly, I've accumulated quite a few of his coins! The same type as your coin @Codera CLAUDIUS, AD 41-54 AE As (29.19mm, 10.34g, 6h) Struck AD 50-54. Rome mint Obverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, bare head of Claudius left Reverse: LIBERTAS AVGVSTA S C, Libertas standing facing, head right, holding pileus in right hand and extending left References: RIC I 113, RCV 1860 Smooth dark brown patina. Well-centered and struck, with an excellent portrait in fine style. Detailed reverse. Ex Galata Coins, Feb. 1979 CLAUDIUS, AD 41-54 AE As (29.46mm, 10.89g, 6h) Struck AD 50-54. Rome mint Obverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, bare head of Claudius left Reverse: CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI, Constantia, helmeted, standing left, raising right hand and holding vertical scepter in left RIC I 111, RCV 1858 Some scratches. Well-centered with contrasting wear and patina. CLAUDIUS, AD 41-54 AE Sestertius (35.14mm, 28.25g, 6h) Struck AD 42. Rome mint Obverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head of Claudius right Reverse: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP, triumphal arch of elaborate form, with four Ionic columns and pediment, surmounted by equestrian statue of Nero Claudius Drusus galloping right, thrusting spear downwards between two trophies; S C across fields References: RIC I 114, RCV 1852 "This ornate structure probably represents the Arcus Drusi, erected over the Via Appia, just north of its junction with the Via Latina, to commemorate the military exploits in Germany of Claudius' father, Nero Claudius Drusus (died 9 BC)." -David R. Sear, Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol. I (p. 366) CLAUDIUS, AD 41-54 AR Cistophorus (27.39mm, 10.43g, 7h) Struck AD 51. Ephesus mint Obverse: TI CLAVD CAES AVG AGRIPP AVGVSTA, jugate busts of Agrippina Junior, draped, and Claudius, laureate, left Reverse: DIANA EPHESIA, cultus-statue of the Ephesian Diana standing facing, with supports References: RIC I 119 (R2), RCV 1888 Toned. A scarce and interesting dual portrait type. This coin was struck in the great provincial city of Ephesus in Asia Minor, around the time of the apostle Paul's visit as recorded in Acts 19. The reverse design depicting "Diana of the Ephesians" bears a powerful connection to the story of the riot that took place there in reaction to Paul's preaching against the worship of the goddess. EGYPT, ALEXANDRIA Time of Claudius AE Diobol (22.41mm, 5.79g, 1h) Struck AD 41-46 Obverse: ΤΙ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙ ϹƐΒΑϹ ΓƐΡΜΑ, laureate head of Claudius right, star to lower right Reverse: ΑVΤΟΚΡΑ, hippopotamus standing right, [uncertain] date in exergue cf. RPC I 5124 Worn surfaces with edge irregularity. A decent hippopotamus. EGYPT, ALEXANDRIA Time of Claudius AE Dichalkon (14.78mm, 1.50g, 12h) Struck AD 45/6 Obverse: ΤΙΒ ΚΛΑV, laureate head of Claudius right Reverse: L-Ϛ, eagle standing right References: RPC Online, Vol. I, No. 5171.4 (this coin) This coin illustrated on wildwinds.com Very rare. Smooth dark surfaces. Excellent condition for the type. ...and so on.
Nice example @Codera , here is a provincial RPC Volume: I №: 3062 Reign: Claudius Persons: Claudius (Augustus) Magistrate: Artemas, son of Demetrios (stephanephoros) City: Cadi Region: Phrygia Province: Asia (conventus of Sardis) Denomination: Brass AE 20 Obverse: ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ; laureate head of Claudius, right Reverse: ΕΠΙ ΑΡΤΕΜΑ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΔΟΗΝΩΝ, ϹΤΕΦΑΝ; Zeus standing, left, with eagle and sceptre. ΡTΛΩ monogram in left field. Specimens: 33 RPC I 3062; SNG Copenhagen 246-7; SNG von Aulock 3685; BMC 18-19
Those are all phenomenal pieces, I particularly love the cistophorus! And yes I have fond memories of being introduced to the TV version of "I, Claudius" in high school and then buying the whole show soon after to watch at home. I'm thinking of watching it again after getting this piece.
Nice coin Codera, with great eye appeal. Claudius Constantia Rome circa 50 AD, As 11.2gm, 27mm. RIC I 95.
Nice one, @Codera - and wow, @The Meat man ! I gave this one away in my Giveaway #97. @Curtisimo won it, and his pictures of it captured that contrasting patina better than mine did. (Speaking of giveaways, we're on Giveaway #120 as of this post. Random drawing on New Year's Day, 2025. There are some ancients in the prize offerings, so come join if any of you want to.) This was my Claudius from the first time I collected a Twelve Caesars set. This sestertius is presently my Claudius coin in my second Twelve Caesars collection, which I only recently completed.
Nice examples My only Sestertius is a Claudius/Constantiae Claudius Æ As. Struck circa 41-50 AD. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, bare head left / CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI S-C, Constantia, helmeted and in military dress, standing left, holding long spear in left hand. Cohen 14. RIC 95
I have two Claudius pieces. Someone else has already shown the first one, a Cistophorus. Cistophorus (3 denarii) Claudius and Agrippina, Obverse: TI(berius) CLAVD CAES AVG AGRIPP AVGVSTA “Tiberius Claudius caesar augustus, Agrippina augusta (empress)” Reverse DIANA EPHESIA, cult statue of Ephesian Diana. She was the goddess of fertility. Some think that she has bull testicles instead of breasts. In ancient times, the bull was a symbol of fertility. (A hoped for addition to the royal family?) Ephesus Mint, Ancient Greece, now modern Turkey. Agrippina was Claudius’ fourth wife and his niece. Soon after she was elevated to Augusta, the title for an empress. She was the first emperor’s wife to receive the title while still living. She maneuvered to make her son, Nero, the heir apparent. It is believed that Agrippina poisoned Claudius with mushrooms to bring her son to the throne. The second is an AS of Cludius. AS of Claudius, Obverse TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TRP IMP P P “Tiberius Claudius caesar augustus Pontiff Maximus (high priest) Tribune of the Roman people, Emperor, Father of his country.” Reverse: LIBERTAS AVG VSIA S C “Liberality of the emperor, Senatus Consultus (SC) issued by authority of the Senate. Liberty standing, holding a pileus in her right hand and extending her left hand. Sear 1860, RIC 113 Here is the text from my Roman Emperors notebook: · Claudius was the youngest son of Nero Drusus, brother of Tiberius, and Antonia, who was the daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia. · He was handicapped with an uncouthness which seemed to indicate that he was mentally challenged. That proved not to be the case. He was largely ignored in his youth with respect to government appointments, aside from a consulship from his nephew, Gaius. · Claudius suffered from a partial paralysis which probably affected his speech and movements. This might explain the “uncouth” characterization. · Perhaps to compensate for the snubbing Claudius received, he became an accomplished scholar and writer. He wrote 20 books on Etruscan history, eight books on Carthaginian history and eight autobiographical memoirs. Unfortunately all of these works have been lost. · After Caligula’s murder, the praetorian guard declared Claudius as his successor. After some bantering around about the issue with the guard and the senate, his position was confirmed. · There were several attempts to remove Claudius from power during his reign. None of them were successful. Those attempts made Claudius very watchful for plots against him which strained his relationship with the senate at times. · Perhaps to divert attention from the coup attempts, Claudius renewed the effort to make Britain a Roman colony. Such efforts had failed during Caligula’s reign. This time it succeeded, and Britain became a valuable Roman colony. · Claudius named his son Britannicus in honor of his successful campaign to make Britain a Roman colony. · Claudius extended the practice of granting Roman citizenship to auxiliary troops, recruited from the colonies. After 25 years of service, Claudius extended those rights to them and their families. · He developed the career structure for military officers providing favorable opportunities to those who made a career in the army. · He expanded the Roman navy in the Italian cities of Puteoli, Portus Augusti and Ostia. He also established flotillas in the harbors of Britain and Pontus. · Claudius expanded membership in the senate to include non-Italians. Roman Senator complained about this frequently, but Claudius was striving to make the Roman Government more inclusive for its colonies. The numbers of colonial senators were never large. · Claudius attempted to end the long running disputes between the Greeks and the Jews of Alexandria · He worked to reform the judicial system with good success. He took the oversight from the senate and placed it under his purview. · Claudius had four wives. His married life was not happy. His first wife, Plautia Urgulanilla was Etruscan which may have explained his early interest in their history. Claudius divorced her and married Aelia Paetina after a short time. · He married his third wife, Valeria Messallina, in 39 AD. She was 14, and he was 49. Valeria was notorious for cheating on him. Valeria and one of her lovers, Gaius Silius, plotted to overthrow Claudius, and replace him with his seven year old son, Britannicus. They planned to be the boy’s regents and therefore gain de facto rule of the empire. Claudius learned of the plot and had her executed in 48 AD. · His fourth wife, Agrippina the younger, was his niece. · Soon after receiving the title, Augusta, Agrippina the Younger pushed Claudius’ son, Britannicus, out of the way so that Nero could be the next in line as emperor. · There are strong indications that Agrippina poisoned Claudius with mushrooms to make her son, Nero, emperor. At first Agrippina exercised considerable control over her son in ruling the empire. · Later, after Nero had established himself as emperor, he pushed his ambitious mother aside and had her executed. I guess you could say, “What goes around, comes around.”
Yes, I've a orichalcum denarius of him! Claudius-II denarius Mediolanum, September 268- mid 269 AD Leu Numismatik
From Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus to Marcus Aurelius Claudius Gothicus, but WOW! That's a wonderful, lovely coin, @Gallienus! The centering coupled with the large flan is eye-catching!
Oh wow! I didn't know Claudius II Gothicus had standout pieces like this! Must be pretty rare, great find!
Claudius, dupondius, AE 28 mm, 13.88 g, 6 h. Obv.: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, bare head left Rev.: [CERES] AVGVSTA / S C, Ceres seated left on throne, holding corn-ears and transverse torch
Thanks. It came from Leu auction 4, 2019, #721. It was horribly expensive at the time and forced me to be outbid on a beautiful hexa assarion of Gallienus that I also wanted, but could only afford one or the other. So my only coin of Gallienus is a $35 antonianus bought years ago. The Claudius-II came about due to my interest in the Military crisis of the 3rd century. To this end I highly recommend the book Maximinus Thrax by Pearson. I have an extremely incomplete collection with some rarities but many holes. I love coins of Claudius-I but only have a Barbarous As (<$50 -- Frank Robinson of NY) of him. Not photographed but will do so & post here. Would love to get a sestertius but am on a strict budget as are most of us.
