109
3114
Antonia Minor. Silver Denarius (3.85 g), Augusta, AD 37 and
41.
Rome, under Claudius, ca. AD 41-45. ANTONIA AVGVSTA,
draped bust of Antonia right, hair tied in short queue at back of neck,
wreathed with grain ears.
Reverse:
CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI, Anto-
nia, as Constantia, standing facing, holding long torch and cornuco-
piae. RIC 66; BMC 111; RSC 2. An incredible example, boldly struck
in high relief, on a full size flan and perfectly centered. Excellent
metal and attractive old cabinet toning.
Among the finest in existance
.
Superb Extremely Fine.
Antonia was the younger daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia
in 36 BC. In either 18 or 16 BC, she married Nero Claudius Dru-
sus, to whom she bore three children: Germanicus, Livilla and
Claudius. Although initially honored with the title of Augusta
by her grandson, Caligula, she eventually fell out of favor with
him, committing suicide in AD 37 possibly as a result. Her son
Claudius reconfirmed the title on her posthumously in AD 41.
RIC notes that the reverse of this type emphasizes Antonia “as the
model for Claudius’
Constantia
and also as the priestess of Di-
vus Augustus, from whom imperial
auctoritas
ultimately flowed.”
Estimated Value .........................................................$20,000 - 25,000
Ex Tradart (12 December 1991), 251; Fred Baldwin Collection (Glen-
dining, 20 November 1969), 35.
