Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Claudius, 41 – 54

Aureus circa 50-54, AV 7.61 g. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM PM TRIB·POT P P Laureate head r. Rev. AGRIPPINAE – AVGVSTAE Draped bust of Agrippina r., wearing crown of corn ears. C 3. BMC 72. RIC 80. CBN 78. Calicó 396c.
Rare. Traces of mounting, otherwise good very fine

Ex Peus sale 396, 2001, 437 and NAC 64, 2012, 2492 sales. From the Alberto Campana collection.

Agrippina (the younger) is one of the most interesting women from the early imperial period. She was sister to Caligula and was honored by him, along with Drusilla and Livilla (her younger sisters) on his coinage – a first for a Roman coin. When Drusilla died Caligula is said to have gone mad and Agrippina was implicated in a failed assassination plot against Caligula. She was exiled to the Pontine islands where she remained until after Caligula's death. Claudius rescinded the exile and Agrippina returned to Rome where she was reunited with her son who would later be renamed Nero and become Rome's next emperor.

Her intrigue was just starting however as she was possibly involved in the unexpected death of her second husband Crispus in order to gain his estate which was conveniently left to Nero. Agrippina became mistress to one of Claudius' advisors and worked her way back into daily palace life. When it came time for Claudius to consider remarrying it was ultimately decided that Agrippina, although his niece, would be a good mate. This relationship was considered incestuous but was approved by the senate and the marriage went forward. This made her step-mother to Claudius' son Brittanicus who would seem to be the logical heir to Claudius.

In 50 AD she was named Augusta, the first woman to be so named while her husband was still alive. She convinced Claudius to adopt her son and it is at this time his name was officially changed to Nero. She convinced Claudius to name Nero as his heir and worked in every way to distance Britannicus from the family. Towards the end of his life Claudius regretted marrying Agrippina and adopting Nero. This gave Agrippina incentive to eliminate Claudius and ancient sources say that she did indeed poison him. With the death of Claudius she finally had her wish. Her son was emperor and she was effectively in control of him, and in turn, the empire itself. MSG.