Sestertius honouring Nero Claudius Drusus, reign of Claudius - 1967.05

Acquisition number: 1967.05

Other images

Rev.: Claudius on a curule chair holding a branch

Obv.: Head of Nero Claudius Drusus l., bare. ṆẸṚỌ [CL]ẠVDIVS DRVSVS GERM[ANICVS IMP(erator)].

Rev.: Claudius seated l. on curule chair, holding branch, with various arms (e.g. shields, spears) scattered around. TI(berius) CLAVḌỊ[VS CAESAR AVG(ustus) P(ontifex M(aximus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) I]ṂP(erator). In exergue, S(enatus) C(onsulto).

Title: Sestertius honouring Nero Claudius Drusus, reign of Claudius - 1967.05

Acquisition number: 1967.05

Author or editor: Beryl Rawson

Culture or period: Roman Imperial

Date: AD 41-42

Material: Metal - Brass

Object type: Coins - Roman

Dimensions: 33mm (w)

Origin region or location: Italy

Origin city: Rome

Display case or on loan: 5

Keywords: Coin, sestertius, Roman, Imperial, Claudius, Drusus

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 1896; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) 93; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 157; Giard, J.-P., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain 3 vols (Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale, 1988-1998) 125, C Nero Claudius Drusus 8, [Rome, AD 41-2].

1967.05 

Sestertius honouring Nero Claudius Drusus, reign of Claudius

23.470 g. AD 41-42

Obv.: Head of Nero Claudius Drusus l., bare. ṆẸṚỌ [CL]ẠVDIVS DRVSVS GERM[ANICVS IMP(erator)].

Rev.: Claudius seated l. on curule chair, holding branch, with various arms (e.g. shields, spears) scattered around. TI(berius) CLAVḌỊ[VS CAESAR AVG(ustus) P(ontifex M(aximus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) I]ṂP(erator). In exergue, S(enatus) C(onsulto).

This coin commemorates Claudius’ father, Drusus (the Elder), who died on the German frontier in 9 BC after considerable military success there. The military equipment around Claudius may refer to his invasion of Britain in AD 43.

Titus re-issued this obverse in AD 80-81 (RIC II, Part 1, 416). His coin may simply be one of the series of Julio-Claudian restorations to emphasize continuity, but it may also be associated with Flavian activity on the northern frontiers.

There seems to have been no bronze coinage issued from Rome in the last part of Claudius’ reign.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 1896; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) 93; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 157; Giard, J.-P., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain 3 vols (Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale, 1988-1998) 125, C Nero Claudius Drusus 8, [Rome, AD 41-2].