Emperors of Rome. Claudius, 41-54 AD. Circa 44-45 AD. AV-Aureus 7.65 g. Lyon (Lugdunum) Mint.
Obverse: TI. CLAUD. CAESAR. AUG. P. M. TR. P. IIII. Head of Claudius to right, wearing oak wreath.
Reverse: IMPER RECEPT, inscribed on the walls of the Praetorian Camp in Rome; above, within a distyle pedimented building flanked by two towers, soldier standing guard to left with aquila before him
References: RIC I 25 (Rome); von Kaenel Type 21, 302 (V331/R336) (this coin); Lyon 40 (unlisted dies); Calicó 361b; BMCRE 23 (Rome); BN 43-4
Provenance: Ex Heath Collection, Triton XXII, January 8-9, 2019, lot 1006; ex CNG Web Shop (Sold for
$ 24,500); LHS 100, April 23-24, 2007, lot 466; Gerhard Hirsch 3, 1954, lot 224; Münzhandlung Basel 8, March 22, 1937, lot 575 (there purchased by Cahn).
Description: The Praetorian Guard appointed Claudius emperor after his nephew Gaius’ assassination. Claudius was supposedly found cowering behind a curtain in the imperial palace and, after being found by the Praetorians, was removed to the Praetorian Camp (which is depicted on the reverse of this aureus). This version of events was popularized in the novel and miniseries, I, Claudius. Claudius would remain under the “protection” of the Praetorian Guard for some time, though it is unknown whether he was their guest, or their prisoner. The Praetorian Camp was located to the northeast of Rome beyond the Servian Wall between the Porta Viminalis and the Porta Collina. While Claudius was the first Emperor to be elevated by the Praetorian Guard, he would certainly not be the last. The Praetorian Guard would become "king-makers" of sorts, and serve as the catalyst for the rise and fall of a substantial number of Emperors. This aureus was likely issued as part of a donative to the Praetorian Guard, and serves to commemorate the events of his ascension. Claudius also issued silver denarii of the same reverse commemorating the event, as well as companion pieces in cold featuring Claudius clasping hands with a Praetorian.
Upon his release and subsequent assumption of the role of princeps, Claudius proved to be a shrewd politician and an efficient ruler. After guaranteeing his safety with the payment the aforementioned donative, Claudius would go on to improve the imperial bureaucracy, largely through the expanded use and centralization of a network of imperial freedmen. Under Claudius' rule, the Empire also reached its greatest geographical extent to date. The provinces of Thrace, Noricum, Lycia, and Judea were annexed (or put under direct rule); the annexation of Mauretania, which Caligula had begun, was completed after the defeat of rebel forces. Claudius also launched a successful invasion of the British Isles, something Julius Caesar himself had failed to do. While Claudius' reign was a long, and relatively successful one, the latter years were marred by internal strife, caused largely by the political ambitions of his second wife Agrippina the Younger, who was almost certainly responsible for the death of Nero's son, Britannicus, and the ascension of her on son, Nero.
Reverse: IMPER RECEPT, inscribed on the walls of the Praetorian Camp in Rome; above, within a distyle pedimented building flanked by two towers, soldier standing guard to left with aquila before him
References: RIC I 25 (Rome); von Kaenel Type 21, 302 (V331/R336) (this coin); Lyon 40 (unlisted dies); Calicó 361b; BMCRE 23 (Rome); BN 43-4
Provenance: Ex Heath Collection, Triton XXII, January 8-9, 2019, lot 1006; ex CNG Web Shop (Sold for
$ 24,500); LHS 100, April 23-24, 2007, lot 466; Gerhard Hirsch 3, 1954, lot 224; Münzhandlung Basel 8, March 22, 1937, lot 575 (there purchased by Cahn).
Description: The Praetorian Guard appointed Claudius emperor after his nephew Gaius’ assassination. Claudius was supposedly found cowering behind a curtain in the imperial palace and, after being found by the Praetorians, was removed to the Praetorian Camp (which is depicted on the reverse of this aureus). This version of events was popularized in the novel and miniseries, I, Claudius. Claudius would remain under the “protection” of the Praetorian Guard for some time, though it is unknown whether he was their guest, or their prisoner. The Praetorian Camp was located to the northeast of Rome beyond the Servian Wall between the Porta Viminalis and the Porta Collina. While Claudius was the first Emperor to be elevated by the Praetorian Guard, he would certainly not be the last. The Praetorian Guard would become "king-makers" of sorts, and serve as the catalyst for the rise and fall of a substantial number of Emperors. This aureus was likely issued as part of a donative to the Praetorian Guard, and serves to commemorate the events of his ascension. Claudius also issued silver denarii of the same reverse commemorating the event, as well as companion pieces in cold featuring Claudius clasping hands with a Praetorian.
Upon his release and subsequent assumption of the role of princeps, Claudius proved to be a shrewd politician and an efficient ruler. After guaranteeing his safety with the payment the aforementioned donative, Claudius would go on to improve the imperial bureaucracy, largely through the expanded use and centralization of a network of imperial freedmen. Under Claudius' rule, the Empire also reached its greatest geographical extent to date. The provinces of Thrace, Noricum, Lycia, and Judea were annexed (or put under direct rule); the annexation of Mauretania, which Caligula had begun, was completed after the defeat of rebel forces. Claudius also launched a successful invasion of the British Isles, something Julius Caesar himself had failed to do. While Claudius' reign was a long, and relatively successful one, the latter years were marred by internal strife, caused largely by the political ambitions of his second wife Agrippina the Younger, who was almost certainly responsible for the death of Nero's son, Britannicus, and the ascension of her on son, Nero.