Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Claudius, 41 – 54

Cistophoric tetradrachm, Ephesus (?) circa 41-54, AR 11.46 g. TI CLAVD – CAES AVG Bare head l. Rev. COM – ASI Distyle temple within which Claudius stands facing, on l., holding spear and globe, being crowned by female figure standing facing on r., holding cornucopiae in l. hand. Architrave inscribed ROM ET AVG. C 3. BMC 228. RIC 120. CBN 304. Kent-Hirmer pl. 53, 186. RPC 2221.
Rare. A bold portrait and a lovely old cabinet tone, extremely fine


Ex NFA XII, 1983, 184; Superior Galleries December 1995, 878 and Áureo & Calicó 241, 2012, Imagines Imperatorum, 22 sales.

This is a recreation of a type issued under Augustus. It is exceptional for the issue. MSG.
The cistophorus would be minted under Claudius for the first time since the great coinage of this denomination by Augustus. The Claudian mintages were nowhere near as extensive and the pieces that are seen usually show significant wear indicating that they circulated heavily. RIC indicates these issues may all be commemorative in nature and were not intended to be a regular coinage for the area. Of the cistophorus issues of Claudius there are four main types: Those including Agrippina (his wife); the issues dedicated to Artemis (Diana) and her temple, as below; the issues with ROM ET AVG temple reverses; and, late in his reign the issues identifying Nero as his successor.