Lot 533
Nero Claudius Drusus (father of Claudius and Germanicus, brother of Tiberius, d. 9 BC), Silver Denarius, 3.80g. Nero Claudius Drusus (father of Claudius and Germanicus, brother of Tiberius, d. 9 BC), Silver Denarius, 3.80g. Mint of Rome, under Claudius, c. AD 41-45. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, laureate head of Nero Claudius Drusus left. Rev. Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue left between two trophies, DE GERMANIS on architrave (RIC 72; BMC 101; RSC 4). Well struck on a large wide flan with every letter complete, a marvellous portrait of Nero Claudius Drusus, delicately toned, superb extremely fine. Very rare and among the finest specimens known. Nero Claudius Drusus was the son of Livia and the senator Tiberius Claudius Nero. Before he was born his parents divorced so that Augustus could marry his mother. Unlike his older brother, the future emperor Tiberius whom Augustus disliked, the emperor doted on his younger stepson. In 13 BC Drusus was sent to govern Gaul, and while there he repelled an attack by a tribe of Germans who had invaded the province. Most of the following years until his death were spent on campaigns in German territory. First, he crossed the Rhine frontier and penetrated as far as the North Sea, subduing the Frisii. The following years saw him engaged against various confederations of the Chatti, Sicambri and Marcomanni. He died tragically in 9 BC from injuries he sustained when he fell from his horse while on campaign fighting the Marcomanni. The Arch of Drusus that appears on the reverse of this coin and which commemorated his campaigns in Germania has not survived. Its precise location is not known, but it was on the Appian way.
Estimated Value $30,000-UP.
Ex Tkalec Auction, 29 February 2000, lot 234; ex NAC Auction 29, 11 May 2005, lot 466; ex NAC Auction 62, 6 October 2011, lot 2018.
|
| |
| Unsold |
