Description
Roman Empire. Nero Claudius Drusus. AR-Denarius (19 mm, 3.75 g, 12h). Lugdunum mint, struck under Claudius circa 41-42.
Obverse: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP. Laureate head of Nero Claudius Drusus to left // Reverse: Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue between two trophies, DE GERMANIS on architrave.
C 4. BMC Claudius 101. RIC Claudius 72. CBN Claudius 6.
Rare. A lovely example with an impressive pedigree. Beautiful old collection toning. Light scratches on the obverse and the reverse struck form a worn die and therefore a bit weak, otherwise, good very fine.
Provenance Details
Ex Glendining, 14 January 1953, Lot 491. From the collection of J. C. S. Rashleigh.
Ex UBS 78, 9-10 September 2008, Lot 1419.
Ex Leu Numismatik Auction 12, 15 May 2022, Lot 1038. From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang.
Ex Leu Numismatik Auction 15, 1 June 2024, Lot 234. From an American collection.
Comment
Claudius minted this coin at the beginning of his reign as emperor to honour his father Nero Claudius Drusus and his military triumphs. Nero Claudius Drusus was a famous and successful military commander. He led his legions across the Rhine and quickly achieved a series of victories and conquests in Germania.
The triumphal arch depicted on the reverse of the coin was erected in 9 BC to celebrate precisely these achievements. He and his descendants were also given the honourable title of Germanicus. This coin is a propagandistic issue that was intended to further legitimize and strengthen Claudius' reign.
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