534
Nero Claudius Drusus (father of Claudius and Germanicus, brother of Tiberius, d. 9 BC), Æ Sestertius,
29.96g, 6h. Mint of Rome, struck under Claudius, c. AD 42-43.
NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSV GERMANICVS
IMP
, head facing left. Rev.
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P / S C
, Claudius, togate, seated left
on a curule chair, holding a branch and a roll; weapons and armour lay around (RIC (Claudius) 109;
BMC 208; von Kaenel type 72; RCV 1897). Some light smoothing in fields, with a very well-struck and clear
reverse, dark patina, good very fine / extremely fine.
$ 6,000
One of the Finest Known Denarii of Antonia
535
Antonia (mother of Claudius), Silver Denarius, 3.85g. Rome, under Claudius, c. AD 41-45.
ANTONIA
AVGVSTA
, draped bust of Antonia facing right, hair tied in short queue at back of neck, wreathed with
grain ears. Rev.
CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI
, Antonia, as Constantia, standing facing, holding long torch and
cornucopiae (RIC 66; BMC 111; RSC 2). An incredible example, boldly struck in high relief, on a full size
flan and perfectly centred, excellent metal and attractive old cabinet toning, superb extremely fine.
Among
the finest in existence.
$ 30,000
ex Fred Baldwin Collection, Glendining’s, 20 November 1969, lot 35
ex Tradart Auction, 12 December 1991, lot 251
Antonia was the younger daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia in 36 BC. In either 18 or 16 BC, she married Nero Claudius Drusus,
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 Divus
Augustus, from whom imperial auctoritas ultimately flowed.”
