Lot 4132
Nero Claudius Drusus, father of both Germanicus and Claudius. Gold Aureus (7.8g) minted at Lugdunum, AD 41-42. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP. Laureate head of Nero Claudius Drusus left. Reverse: DE GE-R-MA-NIS. Two oblong shields crossed in front of two pairs of crossed spears and vexillum flanked by trumpets. Sear 1893; Calicó 317; RIC 73; Giard 7; BMC 105 (this coin). A marvelous example and very rare. Extremely Fine.
Nero Claudius Drusus, also known as Drusus Senior, was the younger brother of the emperor Tiberius. Born in 38 BC, he was brought up in the household of Augustus and later married Antonia, the daughter of Mark Antony and Augustus' sister Octavia. The couple had two sons, Germanicus and the future emperor Claudius. Drusus was a brilliant general, and in 12 BC Augustus entrusted him with the overall command of the projected conquest of Germany. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 9 BC when the twenty-nine-year-old general expired in summer encampment following a fall from his horse. He was succeeded in the German command by his brother Tiberius. No coinage was issued in the name of Nero Claudius Drusus until half a century after his death. On the accession to the throne of his younger son Claudius, a commemorative coinage was instituted by the new emperor honoring both his father and his mother, the latter only recently deceased at the age of seventy-three. These were struck in gold, silver, and orichalcum, and the precious metal denominations of Drusus celebrate his victories in Germany (DE GERMANIS). This beautiful aureus type shows an arrangement of arms together with a legionary vexillum.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
The Hunter Collection.
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| Realized $44,850 |
