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Roman Imperitorial Coinage
E
XQUISITE
N
ERO
C
LAUDIUS
D
RUSUS
D
ENARIUS
Enlargement
1968
Nero Claudius Drusus. Silver Denarius (3.80 g), AD 41-54
. Rome, under Claudius, ca. AD 41-45. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN-
ICVS IMP, laureate head of Nero Claudius Drusus left.
Reverse
Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue left between two trophies, DE
GERMANIS on architrave. RIC 72; BMC 101; RSC 4. Well struck on a large wide flan with every letter complete. A superb portrait of Nero Clau-
dius Drusus and delicately toned.
Very rare and among the finest specimens known
.
Superb Extremely Fine
.
Nero Claudius Drusus was the son of Livia and the senator Tiberius Claudius Nero. Before he was born his parents divorced so that Augustus
could marry his mother. Unlike his older brother, the future emperor Tiberius whom Augustus disliked, the emperor doted on his younger
stepson.
In 13 BC Drusus was sent to govern Gaul, and while there he repelled an attack by a tribe of Germans who had invaded the province. Most of
the following years until his death were spent on campaigns in German territory. First, he crossed the Rhine frontier and penetrated as far as
the North Sea, subduing the Frisii. The following years saw him engaged against various confederations of the Chatti, Sicambri and Marco-
manni. He died tragically in 9 BC from injuries he sustained when he fell from his horse while on campaign fighting the Marcomanni.
The Arch of Drusus that appears on the reverse of this coin and which commemorated his campaigns in Germania has not survived. Its pre-
cise location is not known, but it was on the Appian way.
Estimated Value ................................................................................................................................................................... $30,000-UP
Ex NAC 62 (6 October 2011), 2018; NAC 29 (11 May 2005), 466; Tkalec (29 February 2000), 234; Ex Exceptional Roman Denarii Coll. #3043
.
1969
Antonia, mother of Claudius. AE Dupondius (12.9g),
minted at Rome, AD 42
. Draped bust of Antonia bare-headed
right.
Reverse:
Claudius, veiled and togate, standing left hold-
ing simpulum. RIC 92; BMC 166; CBN 143. Uniform chocolate
brown patina. Rare. Nice strong portrait of this important Impe-
rial woman.
Very Fine
.
Antonia, younger daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia, niece
of Augustus and married to Nero Claudius Drusus and had two
sons, Germanicus and the future emperor Claudius. Antonia
died in AD 37, at the age of 73, many speculated by her grand-
son Caligua. Nonetheless, she recieved no honors until after her
son Claudius becme emperor and struck coinage early in his
reign.
Estimated Value ................................................... $350 - 400
1970
Agrippina Senior, wife of Germanicus. Died AD 33. AE
Sestertius (24.79g)
. Draped bust of Agrippina I right, hair at
back of neck tied in long queue.
Reverse:
Carpentum drawn
left by two mules, the cover supported by standing figures at
the corners with ornamented side. RIC-55; BMC 81-7; Cohen 1.
Uniform dark greyish-brown patina. Some smoothing in the
fields. Rare.
Very Fine
.
Estimated Value ................................................... $500 - 600