Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3061 7-8 Jan 2018
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Claudius II Gothicus (AD 268-270). AV medallion of 8 aurei (38mm, 38.50 gm, 12h). NGC XF 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style. Mediolanum (Milan), August AD 268. IMP · C · M · AVRL · CLAVDIVS · P · F · AVG ·, laureate and cuirassed bust of Claudius right, aegis on left shoulder and a fold of toga palmata on right, breastplate embossed with emperor on horseback right, spearing fallen enemy / CONCORD-IA · EX–ERCITVS ·, Concordia standing facing, head right, holding in each standard (signum) surmounted by legionary eagle (aquila) and banner (vexillum). J. Lafaurie, RN 1958, p. 101, 7-10 and pl. 8, 9 (these dies). Hunter 27. RCV 11300. RIC V –, cf. 1 (medallion of 6 aurei). Gnecchi –, cf. p. 9, 1 and pl. 3, 8 (same). Very rare and highly impressive, with a puissant military bust of this heroic ruler and an artfully engraved reverse.
Ex Jonathan K. Kern Collection.
Born about AD 214 on the Danube frontier, Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius followed the military career adopted by so many of his countrymen and rose to high command in the reign of Gallienus (AD 253-268). During the siege of Milan in mid-AD 268, Gallienus was assassinated and Claudius acclaimed emperor in his place by his fellow officers. The Senate approved Claudius' elevation, but the all-important soldiers proved restive, as Gallienus had treated them well. Claudius was forced to buy them off with a massive bribe of 10 gold aurei apiece. The highest officers likely received payment in the form of gigantic gold medallions of 8 aurei struck at the mint of Milan, like the present specimen. These were the largest Roman gold pieces struck to that point, and the reverse made a trenchant plea for "harmony in the army" (CONCORDIA EXERCITVS). Once seated in power, Claudius went on to a brief but momentous reign that proved a turning point in history. In AD 270 he won an annihilating victory over the Goths at Naissus. Claudius was hailed as the savior of his nation and the Senate voted him the title of Gothicus, by which he is still known. But Claudius never lived to enjoy his triumph, for he contracted the plague and died in the summer of AD 270. He was immediately defied and greatly mourned. Despite reigning less than two years, he was so fondly remembered that more than 35 years later, Constantine the Great claimed a family connection to him and struck coins in his honor.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 60000-90000 USD
Claudius II Gothicus (AD 268-270). AV medallion of 8 aurei (38mm, 38.50 gm, 12h). NGC XF 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style. Mediolanum (Milan), August AD 268. IMP · C · M · AVRL · CLAVDIVS · P · F · AVG ·, laureate and cuirassed bust of Claudius right, aegis on left shoulder and a fold of toga palmata on right, breastplate embossed with emperor on horseback right, spearing fallen enemy / CONCORD-IA · EX–ERCITVS ·, Concordia standing facing, head right, holding in each standard (signum) surmounted by legionary eagle (aquila) and banner (vexillum). J. Lafaurie, RN 1958, p. 101, 7-10 and pl. 8, 9 (these dies). Hunter 27. RCV 11300. RIC V –, cf. 1 (medallion of 6 aurei). Gnecchi –, cf. p. 9, 1 and pl. 3, 8 (same). Very rare and highly impressive, with a puissant military bust of this heroic ruler and an artfully engraved reverse.
Ex Jonathan K. Kern Collection.
Born about AD 214 on the Danube frontier, Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius followed the military career adopted by so many of his countrymen and rose to high command in the reign of Gallienus (AD 253-268). During the siege of Milan in mid-AD 268, Gallienus was assassinated and Claudius acclaimed emperor in his place by his fellow officers. The Senate approved Claudius' elevation, but the all-important soldiers proved restive, as Gallienus had treated them well. Claudius was forced to buy them off with a massive bribe of 10 gold aurei apiece. The highest officers likely received payment in the form of gigantic gold medallions of 8 aurei struck at the mint of Milan, like the present specimen. These were the largest Roman gold pieces struck to that point, and the reverse made a trenchant plea for "harmony in the army" (CONCORDIA EXERCITVS). Once seated in power, Claudius went on to a brief but momentous reign that proved a turning point in history. In AD 270 he won an annihilating victory over the Goths at Naissus. Claudius was hailed as the savior of his nation and the Senate voted him the title of Gothicus, by which he is still known. But Claudius never lived to enjoy his triumph, for he contracted the plague and died in the summer of AD 270. He was immediately defied and greatly mourned. Despite reigning less than two years, he was so fondly remembered that more than 35 years later, Constantine the Great claimed a family connection to him and struck coins in his honor.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 60000-90000 USD