Lot 87
Rome. Claudius, 41-54 AD. AR Denarius (3.42 g), Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, struck c. 50-54 AD. Laureate head of Claudius right. Reverse: Laureate and draped bust of Agrippina right; AGRIPPINAE AVGVSTAE. RIC 81; BMCRE 75; CBN 82. The reverse somewhat off center, otherwise sharp, clean strikes on exceptional metal. The high relief portraits especially choice, particularly for this series. That of Claudius is one of the more sensitive portraits for his coins. Lightly toned, with residual luster. Interesting historical type. Rare. NGC graded About Uncirculated.
In 49 AD, Claudius took as his fourth wife his niece, Agrippina. Later he would raise her to the rank of Augusta, the cause for issuing these joint portrait coins. Claudius' choices of marriage partners consistently proved lacking, or wholly wretched is perhaps the better way to phrase it. More so in this union. For Claudius and his only son, Britannicus, it was disastrous. As his wife, Agrippina relentlessly orchestrated the advancement of her son Nero before Claudius' eyes, and this is most curious, to his own son's complete disadvantage. Once Nero's succession to the throne was secure, Agrippina felt free to poison Claudius at dinner on October 12, 54 AD, with him finally succumbing in the early hours of the following morning. Not surprisingly, Claudius' son, Britannicus, would repeat his father's end a mere four months into the young Nero's reign.
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000.
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| Realized $4,485 |
