Burnett, A., Roman Provincial Coinage (London, British Museum Press, 1992) I, Alexandria, Claudius 5117; Poole, R.S., (ed.), A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum (London, The British Museum, 1873-1927; repr. Bologna 1963-1964) Alexandria and the Nomes no. 65. 

1976.16

Tetradrachm of Claudius

13.650 g. AD 41/42

Obv.: Head of Claudius r., laureate.

[TI(berioς] KΛΑΥΔΙ(ος) ΚΑΙΣ(αρ) ΣΕΒΑ(στος) ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙ(κος) ΑΥ[ΤΟΚΡ(ατωρ)]

In front, LB.

Rev.: Bust of Antonia r., hair pulled back in chignon on neck; wreath of grain-ears round head (?). ANTΩNIA ΣEBAΣTH.

Minted in Alexandria. This continues the billon series begun by Tiberius. The obverse legend is the Greek form of ‘Ti. Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Imperator’. The inscription in front of the head signifies ‘the second year’ (of Claudius’ reign), i.e. between August AD 41 and August 42. The reverse legend is the Greek form of ‘Antonia Augusta’.

Claudius’ Alexandrian coins had reverse portraits of several members of his family, e.g. his mother Antonia (as here), his children Britannicus, Antonia and Octavia, and his third wife Messalina (1967.21). Cf. Agrippina the Younger on 1967.22; see also 1967.20, 1967.19, 1967.23.

Antonia (minor) was the younger of the two daughters of Mark Antony and Octavia (sister of Octavian-Augustus). She was born c.36 BC and was an influential figure in the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius. She was the mother of Germanicus, Claudius and Livilla. After her husband (Drusus, brother of Tiberius) died in 9 BC, she insisted on remaining a widow in spite of Augustus’ pressure to have her re-marry. After the death of Livia (AD 29), she was the senior woman of the imperial family, and brought up Gaius and Drusilla when their mother Agrippina the Elder was exiled by Tiberius. She gave information to Tiberius against her own daughter (Livilla) to help bring down Sejanus (AD 31): Cassius Dio 58.11.7. Her grandson Gaius conferred the title ‘Augusta’ on her posthumously in AD 37. Claudius confirmed this title at his accession and added other honours (Suetonius Claudius 11). He also issued coins from Rome which bore her portrait.

Antonia’s hairstyle is typical of her period: waves or rolls round the brow and a heavy chignon at nape of neck. (Cf. coin 1968.26.)

Burnett, A., Roman Provincial Coinage (London, British Museum Press, 1992) I, Alexandria, Claudius 5117; Poole, R.S., (ed.), A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum (London, The British Museum, 1873-1927; repr. Bologna 1963-1964) Alexandria and the Nomes no. 65.