A Roman Aureus, struck in Lugdunum in 46-47 A.D. This scarce gold coin of Claudius celebrates his invasion and partial conquest of Britain. The triumphal arch in Rome, dedicated in 51 A.D.,  bore the inscription DE BRITANN and the Emperor himself was depicted on horseback between trophies of arms.

The inscription on the arch stated  'He received the surrender of eleven kings of the Britons, defeated without any loss, and first brought barbarian peoples across the ocean into the dominion of the Roman people.'  

Claudius took a very active role in the military operations and he sailed with the invading fleet, but as he had always been weakened by ill health he was not a fighting man, and he certainly did not get near any action.

This coin will be offered at auction at Spink in London on 22/23 September.