Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXI 24-25 Mar 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Claudius I AV Aureus. Rome, AD 46-47. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P VI IMP XI, laureate head to right / PACI AVGVSTAE, Pax-Nemesis advancing to right, holding long winged caduceus in left hand pointing at serpent, and raising fold of drapery below chin. RIC I 38; BMCRE 39; Calicó 367. 7.71g, 18mm, 6h.
About Extremely Fine.
From the Collection of GK, Ukrainian Emigrant;
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 92 "An Important Selection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine Coins", 23 May 2016, lot 494.
In AD 41 the Jews and the Greeks of Alexandria began to squabble and fight again as they had for decades. The Jews sought more privileges, and to be allowed into Greek-only institutions such as the gymnasia. This swiftly escalated into riots and running battles in the streets of Alexandria between Greeks and Jews. Appealing to Claudius for aid, the authorities in Alexandria received back the famous letter of Claudius to the Alexandrians, which settled the issue. At the same time Claudius accepted the offer to erect a golden statue 'made to represent the Pax Augusta Claudiana' at Rome, while declining a similar one in Alexandria, wisely thinking it might be the cause of new disturbances.
Some scholars (cf. Rostovtzeff 1926, 25) have interpreted this golden statue to be an image of Pax-Nemesis, and have therefore chronologically linked the letter to Claudius' first issue of coins with the Nemesis reverse and legend PACI AVGVSTAE. However, there is no record of the appearance of the statue, and the link is uncertain and indeed tenuous. Nonetheless, the appearance of Nemesis on this coin is significant - depictions of Nemesis on imperial coinage are very rare. As the spirit of divine retribution against those who succumb to hubris, her appearance here may best be interpreted in the context of Claudius' other first gold issues. These emphasise perseverance in the face of adversity (CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI), the achievements of his father (DE GERMANIS), the traditional honours given to the princeps (OB CIVES SERVATOS) and his assumption of power through the Praetorian guard (IMPER RECEPT and PRAETOR RECEPT). Pax Nemesis in this context could therefore be an indirect reference to the excesses and despotism of his predecessor Caligula, and the righteousness of his removal from power: the legend and the image together suggest the active role of Nemesis in the achievement of a state of peace presided over by the emperor.
About Extremely Fine.
From the Collection of GK, Ukrainian Emigrant;
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 92 "An Important Selection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine Coins", 23 May 2016, lot 494.
In AD 41 the Jews and the Greeks of Alexandria began to squabble and fight again as they had for decades. The Jews sought more privileges, and to be allowed into Greek-only institutions such as the gymnasia. This swiftly escalated into riots and running battles in the streets of Alexandria between Greeks and Jews. Appealing to Claudius for aid, the authorities in Alexandria received back the famous letter of Claudius to the Alexandrians, which settled the issue. At the same time Claudius accepted the offer to erect a golden statue 'made to represent the Pax Augusta Claudiana' at Rome, while declining a similar one in Alexandria, wisely thinking it might be the cause of new disturbances.
Some scholars (cf. Rostovtzeff 1926, 25) have interpreted this golden statue to be an image of Pax-Nemesis, and have therefore chronologically linked the letter to Claudius' first issue of coins with the Nemesis reverse and legend PACI AVGVSTAE. However, there is no record of the appearance of the statue, and the link is uncertain and indeed tenuous. Nonetheless, the appearance of Nemesis on this coin is significant - depictions of Nemesis on imperial coinage are very rare. As the spirit of divine retribution against those who succumb to hubris, her appearance here may best be interpreted in the context of Claudius' other first gold issues. These emphasise perseverance in the face of adversity (CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI), the achievements of his father (DE GERMANIS), the traditional honours given to the princeps (OB CIVES SERVATOS) and his assumption of power through the Praetorian guard (IMPER RECEPT and PRAETOR RECEPT). Pax Nemesis in this context could therefore be an indirect reference to the excesses and despotism of his predecessor Caligula, and the righteousness of his removal from power: the legend and the image together suggest the active role of Nemesis in the achievement of a state of peace presided over by the emperor.