Claudius. A.D. 41-54. Æ sestertius. 27.17 gm. 35 mm. Rome mint. Struck A.D. 42-43. Countermark PROB within rectangular incuse, most likely applied at a military center in Britain (see note below). His laureate head right; TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP; PROB(atvm) in rectangular countermark / Spes (Hope) advancing left, holding flower and raising hem of skirt; SPES AVGVSTA S C. RIC I 115. For c/m Pangeri 23. Spink 470C (Coins of England and the United Kingdom, listed under Roman Britain (750 pounds in VF). Host coin Very Fine, well centered and well struck on a large flan; bold portrait and clear legends; green patina. Countermark carefully positioned in field before the imperial portrait and sharply struck, creating slight bend in flan. Historic and Extremely rare.

This piece came to us from an American collection compiled in the 1930's, collector envelope included.

The emperor Claudius in A.D. 43 led the invasion of Britain, beginning the Roman occupation of the island that lasted until the fifth century. R. F. Kenyon, in his article "The Countermark PROB on coins of Claudius I from Britain" printed in The Numismatic Chronicle, Vol. 148 (London: The Royal Numismatic Society, 1988), citing research by D. W. MacDowall and his own extensive study, concludes that most probably sestertii of Claudius such as this example were sent to Britain from the mint of Rome and countermarked PROB at a military center in Britain. The countermarks were always carefully struck, always in the right obverse field and never overlapping the imperial portrait.