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Auction: 24005 - The Official Coinex Auction of Ancient, British and World Coins
Lot: 110

NGC Ch XF | Roman Empire, Claudius (AD 41-54), AE Sestertius, struck c. 41-42, TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, laureate head right, rev. EX S C / OB / CIVES / SERVATOS, within oak wreath, 28.72g (Cohen 39; RIC 96), covered with a rich green patina, belying the depth and character of the portrait, slight wear to inscription which is pushed off-centre by strike, still very fine, in an NGC 'Ancients' holder, graded Choice Extremely Fine (Strike: 4/5, Surface: 2/5) [NGC Cert. #8221849-031]

Provenance

The Major Hamish and Mrs Ann Orr-Ewing Collection of Roman Coins

Purchased from the SCMB, December 1988, C678, front cover coin


Translating to 'by decree of the senate/for saving the citizens', this reverse inscription was frequently employed by the moneyers of Augustus after the latter arranged the return of Roman prisoners, along with the legionary standards lost by Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae, from Parthia in 23 BC. The inscription was revived by Claudius following his accession and is an interesting feature, given that he declined many of the decorative titles ordinarily bestowed upon the emperor. Despite Eckhel's utterly unfair suggestion that this 'most indolent and apathetic, if not most stupid' emperor was undeserving of such a laudatory inscription, one can understand why the end of Caligula's reign of terror would be marked in such a way. Thankfully, the revisionist interpretation of Claudius - arguably the most capable emperor since Augustus - is now well established. Indeed, it is arguable that if not for Claudius's pardoning of the assassins who killed Caligula, for which this issue may well have been struck in commemoration, it is unlikely the transition to his own principate would have been so smooth.


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Sold for
£550

Starting price
£500