Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 534 15 Mar 2023
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BITHYNIA or THRACE, Nicaea or Nicomedia(?). Claudius. AD 41-54. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 28.00 g, 1h). Struck circa AD 42. Laureate head right / EX S C/ P P/ OB/ CIVES/ SERVATOS in four lines within oak wreath, central dimple. RPC I 1957; cf. RIC I 112. Dark green patina, scrapes on obverse, slightly off center. VF.
The sestertii and asses of Claudius with latin legends and the central dimple were not the product of the Rome mint, their exact mint spot, however, is uncertain. Mints in Thrace and Bithynia are the most likely candidates; the coinage of Perinthos is crude in nature and not a suspect, leaving other Thracian mints or Bithynia. Both Nicaea and Nicomedia struck coins with the central dimple at this time; that, with the high craftsmanship of the celator, make one of these two cities the probable mint.
The sestertii and asses of Claudius with latin legends and the central dimple were not the product of the Rome mint, their exact mint spot, however, is uncertain. Mints in Thrace and Bithynia are the most likely candidates; the coinage of Perinthos is crude in nature and not a suspect, leaving other Thracian mints or Bithynia. Both Nicaea and Nicomedia struck coins with the central dimple at this time; that, with the high craftsmanship of the celator, make one of these two cities the probable mint.