Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Claudius, 41 – 54

Divus Claudius. Sestertius 80-81, Æ 25.90 g. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP P P Laureate head r. Rev. IMP T VESP AVG REST Spes advancing l., holding flower and rising skirt; in field, S – C. C 103. BMC Titus 297. RIC Titus 472. CBN Titus 308.
Rare. A magnificent portrait of high style and a lovely Tiber tone.
Surface somewhat rough, otherwise about extremely fine

Ex NAC sale 72, 2013, 1509.

I love the Tiber toning on this coin. There is some roughness on the reverse but the portrait is excellent. MSG.

Restitution issues are always interesting because they reflect the times in which they were made. Here, some 25 years after the death of Claudius his image is restored on coinage by Titus. Today we consider Claudius' rule to be exceptional only for the fact that it wasn't disastrous. But here we can see that his reign must have left a positive impression on the people of Rome or this restitution issue would never have been created. This series also included issues honouring: Augustus; Livia; Tiberius; Agrippa; Drusus; Nero Drusus; Germanicus and Galba. MSG.