Bertolami Fine Art
Auction 87 14-15 Dec 2020
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Claudius (41-54), Sestertius, Rome, AD 50-54; AE (g 29,10; mm 35; h 6); TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head r., Rv. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP, triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue r., between two trophies; the rider strikes downwards with spear; in field, S - C. RIC 114; C 48.
Naturalistic portrait struck on a full flan; pleasant riverine patina, good extremely fine / extremely fine.
On the reverse is represented the triumphal arch dedicated to Claudius' father, Drusus Major, for his victorious campaigns in Germany in the years 12-9 BC. Drusus was the first general of Augustus and praised him for his military and moral virtues. After his death he had many honours and the senate erected a triumphal arch of marble, decorated with trophies, on the Appia Way (Suet. Claud. 1), but there are not archaeological traces. With this sestertius Claudius probably wanted to commemorate his father Drusus directly, but also Augustus indirectly and join two leaders much loved by the soldiers and roman people, celebrating himself as their descendant.
Naturalistic portrait struck on a full flan; pleasant riverine patina, good extremely fine / extremely fine.
On the reverse is represented the triumphal arch dedicated to Claudius' father, Drusus Major, for his victorious campaigns in Germany in the years 12-9 BC. Drusus was the first general of Augustus and praised him for his military and moral virtues. After his death he had many honours and the senate erected a triumphal arch of marble, decorated with trophies, on the Appia Way (Suet. Claud. 1), but there are not archaeological traces. With this sestertius Claudius probably wanted to commemorate his father Drusus directly, but also Augustus indirectly and join two leaders much loved by the soldiers and roman people, celebrating himself as their descendant.