Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 127 17 Nov 2021
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In the name of Nero Claudius Drusus, brother of Tiberius and father of Claudius
Aureus circa 41-45, AV 7.69 g. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP Laureate head l. Rev. DE – GE – R – MA – NIS Vexillum between two crossed oblong shields, and two pairs of spears and trumpets crossed. C 5. BMC Claudius 104. RIC Claudius 73. CBN Claudius 7. Calicó 317b (this coin).
Rare and in unusually good condition for this difficult issue. A bold portrait and
a lovely light reddish tone, about extremely fine
Ex Naville-Ars Classica 8, 1924, Bement, 585; Hess 207, 1931, Otto, 956; Leu 28, 1981, 377; Leu 36, 1985, 237; NAC 51, 2009, 173 and NAC 102, 2017, 502 sales.
Graded XF Strike 5/5 Surface 3/5 light marks, NGC certification number 6157581-003
Roman history, like that of any enduring empire, allows for speculation about how the course of events might have changed had certain people died, or in this case, not died. A perfect study in this is Nero Claudius Drusus, the younger brother of Tiberius. Unlike Tiberius, whom Augustus had always disliked, Drusus was much beloved by Rome's first emperor. When Augustus wrested Livia from her first husband, she was pregnant with Drusus, and gave birth to him months after her marriage to Augustus. It is commonly understood that Livia's first husband had sired Nero Claudius Drusus – but perhaps it is not impossible that Augustus was the father. Speculation aside, Augustus took instantly to the newborn Drusus and treated him as if he was a son of his own blood. The same cannot be said for Drusus' brother Tiberius, who was already four years old when he came to live in Augustus' household. Augustus saw personally to Drusus' education and arranged his marriage to his extraordinarily noble and wealthy niece Antonia. Drusus' career advanced quickly and, after commanding alongside his brother, he spent three years leading a campaign in Germany. Whilst there Drusus was able to dedicate the great Altar of Lugdunum to Augustus on August 1, 10 B.C., the very day that his youngest son, Claudius (who struck this aureus in posthumous remembrance 50 years after his death) was born. However, Drusus' great possibilities ended tragically in 9 B.C. when he died of injuries he received falling off a horse at age 29.
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Aureus circa 41-45, AV 7.69 g. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP Laureate head l. Rev. DE – GE – R – MA – NIS Vexillum between two crossed oblong shields, and two pairs of spears and trumpets crossed. C 5. BMC Claudius 104. RIC Claudius 73. CBN Claudius 7. Calicó 317b (this coin).
Rare and in unusually good condition for this difficult issue. A bold portrait and
a lovely light reddish tone, about extremely fine
Ex Naville-Ars Classica 8, 1924, Bement, 585; Hess 207, 1931, Otto, 956; Leu 28, 1981, 377; Leu 36, 1985, 237; NAC 51, 2009, 173 and NAC 102, 2017, 502 sales.
Graded XF Strike 5/5 Surface 3/5 light marks, NGC certification number 6157581-003
Roman history, like that of any enduring empire, allows for speculation about how the course of events might have changed had certain people died, or in this case, not died. A perfect study in this is Nero Claudius Drusus, the younger brother of Tiberius. Unlike Tiberius, whom Augustus had always disliked, Drusus was much beloved by Rome's first emperor. When Augustus wrested Livia from her first husband, she was pregnant with Drusus, and gave birth to him months after her marriage to Augustus. It is commonly understood that Livia's first husband had sired Nero Claudius Drusus – but perhaps it is not impossible that Augustus was the father. Speculation aside, Augustus took instantly to the newborn Drusus and treated him as if he was a son of his own blood. The same cannot be said for Drusus' brother Tiberius, who was already four years old when he came to live in Augustus' household. Augustus saw personally to Drusus' education and arranged his marriage to his extraordinarily noble and wealthy niece Antonia. Drusus' career advanced quickly and, after commanding alongside his brother, he spent three years leading a campaign in Germany. Whilst there Drusus was able to dedicate the great Altar of Lugdunum to Augustus on August 1, 10 B.C., the very day that his youngest son, Claudius (who struck this aureus in posthumous remembrance 50 years after his death) was born. However, Drusus' great possibilities ended tragically in 9 B.C. when he died of injuries he received falling off a horse at age 29.
View a video of this lot