New Claudius As

After watching I, Claudius again the other week, I decided to buy this as, which I'd had been watching for a while on eBay. Typically I avoid eBay for "larger" purchases, but this one came through Agora auctions originally and I felt fairly confident. I'm in the early stages of building a 12 Caesars set, with an emphasis on portrait quality. The reverse alludes to the Rome's collective liberty from Caligula's madness (I think).

42-43 AD
Rome mint
Obverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P; Bare head left
Reverse: LIBERTAS AVGVSTA S-C; Libertas standing facing with pileus, extending left hand.
References: RIC I 113, Cohen 47, BMC 202, von Kaenel Type 77
Size: 28mm
Weight: 11.1g

 

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That's a beauty @jb_depew

 

Great coin, love the photo as well. Is that your's or the seller's?

 

That portrait is very expressive. But my favorite parts are the drapery folds of Libertas on the reverse. On Libertas:

“It is interesting that from Galba onwards LIBERTAS PUBLICA becomes a very common legend on imperial coins. Libertas publica means freedom as it is enjoyed by the public, that is to say absence of oppression and lawlessness; it signifies a state of affairs, not a form of government. Under the Empire it meant order, security, and confidence. It was in fact tantamount to securitas.” (p. 159 Libertas as a Political Idea at Rome During the Late Republic and Early Principate, by C. H. Wirszubski).

A thread on Libertas:https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-new-to-me-view-of-libertas.304616/#post-2883556

A thread on your coin type: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-claudius-as-with-libertas-reverse-show-yours.295060/

 

That's a real beauty!

 

Great piece

 

Thats a stunning coin. I love the shear, see through look of Libritas robes.

 

What a wonderful portrait! Congrats on picking up such a nice coin.

 

Wonderful coin! Congrats.

 

Very nice!

 

Agree with all the drapery love. What I especially like about it is that so much of our knowledge of ancient art comes from sculpture, and even the painting and engraving we have is often sculptural. Amazing to see the artist using a different medium to different ends.

 

Congrats @jb_depew ! GORGEOUS example and a nice strategy you are taking for the Setonius Twelve! Nice start.

I have a more pedestrian version...


RI Claudius 41-54 Ae As 28mm LIBERTAS AVGVSTA S-C RIC 100

 

Great As there! Still need a Claudius...

 

lovely coin..

 

Great coin, I really like the portrait style which (to my eye) is somewhat unusual, in a very pleasing way. Also agree about all the comments above on the drapery. Here's my best drapery on a Claudius:

 

The Claudius portraits are really nice and very charistic . Thank you all for showing.

 

One of the best portraits of Claudius I have ever seen.. Congratulations.

 

This thread reminds me of days of old. The coin Sear found to be fake had been sold as genuine by Heritage Europe and Auctiones GmbH. It is always good to watch even expert sellers when it comes to popular, high dollar coins.

 

Doug seems to be advising us to be cautious when it comes to Claudius. Fair enough. Given the range of portrait styles and the prevalence of unofficial mint issues, Claudius is particularly tough to authenticate. Is there something specific that concerns you about the OP coin, @dougsmit?

I think it merits further investigation. Upon closer examination there may be some indications of casting (?), e.g letter edges, hair detail at the top. Also, how confident are you, @jb_depew, that it did indeed come from Agora? I was unable to find it when searching their auction archive.

 

I always appreciate candid feedback, both good and bad. The coin sold in Agora Holding History Coins Auction 7, lot 172, April 21, 2016. My only reservation prior to purchasing it is that the portrait style seems to be a little different than other examples I'd seen, but realized that this can vary and that perhaps a die match would come out of the woodwork and set my mind at ease. If anyone has specific concerns about authenticity I'd love to hear them.