Roman coin: Egypt Claudius didrachm - trial issue!!
We are pleased to offer one of the rarest and most interesting roman provincial coins!

Claudius, 41-54 A.D. Experimental issue of the Billon didrachm. Obv: Bare head of Claudius to the right. Rev: Crossed cornucopias on which are the draped busts of the two daughters of Claudius, Claudia Antonia on the left, facing right, and Claudia Octavia on the right, facing left; in between, facing left, draped bust of Britannicus.

References: Sear 1870; RPC 5135; BMCG 68.

Sear writes: ''This extremely rare experimental issue depicts the three children of Claudius - Britannicus and Octavia by Messalina, Antonia by a prevous marriage to Aelia Paetina''.

The three young busts on the reverse of this coin are those of the three children of Claudius: Claudia Antonia, daughter of Claudius from his second wife, Aelia Paetina, sister of Sejanus; and Britannicus and Claudia Octavia, Claudius’ son and daughter from his third wife, Valeria Messalina. The family relationships are shown on the coin by having Claudia Antonia face her half-brother and sister. The coin probably can only have been struck prior to the downfall of Messalina in 48 and Claudius’ subsequent marriage to Agrippina II, and the eclipse of his children by his step-son, the future emperor Nero.

Condition: Good VF, extremely choice for type! The coin is with displaying very little actual wear and is nicely struck. A spot of smoothed red verdigris on obverse. The coin can be cleaned and enhanced by an expert, if so desired. Grey toning with some dusty green in the devices.

Rarity: This coin was not in either the Cologne or the Milne collection.

British museum has it listed, but it is missing in most of the important collection of Alexandrian coins. The only time we recorded a sale of the type in recent years was in Fritz Rudolf Künker Münzenhandlung Auction 89, lot 1738 (2004). This coin was a fourré (plated coin) and completely worn with much of the plating missing showing the core!

Sear value it £2000 (c. USD 4000) in VF and £1000 (c. USD 2000) in Fine. THIS IS THE ALEXANDRIAN COIN OF THE HIGHEST LISTED VALUE IN SEAR'S MILLENIUM EDITION!

Provenance: Part of a sectacular old collection of Alexandrian coins that we have obtained. Please email us for any questions.

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