I just couldn't resist

kirispupis · May 10

A few months ago, I finished I, Claudius and, predictably, started thinking about coins related to the book. I mostly focus on Greek, but when an example of Drusus came up at auction, and I was in the need of snacks, I couldn't resist adding this coin.

Tiberius
Restitution issue under Titus, Rome 80-81 CE
As Æ 27 mm, 10,63 g
Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST IMP VIII, bare head left,
Rev: Rev. IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST around large S•C.
Ref: BMC 284 (Titus). BN 294. Cohen 73. Komnick 19.0. RIC² 432 (Titus).

There was only one slight problem. This coin has little to do with Drusus. It's a restitution issue for Tiberius and I mistakenly purchased it because the seller misattributed the coin. For the price, it wasn't worth sending it back, but it really has no place in my collection and may become Secret Saturnalia fodder if I think it will work for that collector.

So, I fumed a bit and resolved to stay away from Roman coins since it was the second mistake I'd recently made in that sphere. As you can imagine, that didn't last long.

During a different auction, I missed out on my two primary Greek targets but did win two others at minimum bid prices, meaning my shipping was going to be more than the coins. So, I perused what else was available and I noticed an actual Drusus (well, sort of - a restitution issue 58 years after his death but at least with his name and portrait), along with a Nero I already posted and a Clodius Albinus. I figured one should justify the shipping and so I put fair bids thinking I'd win one, but I actually wound up with all three.

I'm aware this wasn't minted during Drusus' lifetime, but after the above mistake I couldn't resist rectifying it.

In the name of Drusus, son of Tiberius
restitution issue under Titus Rome 80-81 CE
Æ As 28.00mm, 9.48 g
Bare head l.
Rev. Legend around large S • C.
RIC Titus 437

This being handled, I believe I'm finally done with adding Roman coins for the year!

JeandAcre · May 10

Very cool project, @kirispupis. Commiseration on the pitfalls so far --Been there, Done that-- and best of luck with your further pirsuit. The level to which the Flavians continue stylistic features of the Julio-Claudians is an obvious point in their favor.

...Gotta say, I, Claudius has to the best historical novel I've ever read. I had major help: as a kid, a family friend loaned me her copy and said, 'Just, Read This.' I've said this before --that's how high it rates-- but Robert Graves managed to exercise his full, formidable literary powers at no expense to what had to be a comprehensive acquaintance with the historical background. Really, Truly Great Stuff. Still contemplating finding a copy online.

AETHER · May 10

This is becoming a habit 🙂

CPK · May 10

That's a nice one @kirispupis - congrats!

My, Claudius: 😉

CLAUDIUS, AD 41-54
AE As (29.19mm, 10.34g, 6h)
Struck AD 50-54. Rome mint
Obverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, bare head of Claudius left
Reverse: LIBERTAS AVGVSTA S C, Libertas standing facing, head right, holding pileus in right hand and extending left
References: RIC I 113, RCV 1860
Smooth dark brown patina. Well-centered and struck, with an excellent portrait in fine style. Detailed reverse.
Ex Galata Coins, Feb. 1979

Ryro · May 11

Coingrats! Wild looking lettering, style and design.

Poor Drusus. A victim of his father's own apathy of ruling.

Octavius · May 11

Copper asses of father and son, Tiberius and Drusus.

Alegandron · May 13

RI Claudius 41-54 Ae As 28mm LIBERTAS AVGVSTA holding pileus S-C RIC 113

RI Claudius Ae As 28mm Minerva S-C RIC 100

DRUSUS d 23CE Rest Titus 80CE AE AS Rome DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N - SC RIC II 437Titus

RI Tiberius AE As 28mm TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST IMP VIII - SC IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST BMCRE II 284

RI Tiberius AE As 14-37 CE Laureate-Pont Max Globe Rudder sinister left RIC I 58

Alegandron · May 13

Here is Claudius' Son, Brittanicus... not a portrait, but best I can do...

Judaea Claudius w-Britannicus CE 41-54 Æ Prutah 17mm 2.8g Antonius Felix-procurator Dated RY 14 54 CE 2-crossed shields spears - Palm tree BPIT K AI L IΔ date Hendin 1348

Alegandron · May 13

Wife of Claudius; Mother of Brittanicus

RProv Valeria Messalina m-Claudius 41-54 CE Alexandria BI Tet yr 42-43 13.1g 25mm RPC I 5131

AETHER · May 13

I don't have Drusus yet, but I have a few Tiberius, here is a copper AS, I recently picked up, RIC I 44...

expat · May 13

No Drusus for me currently, but in harmony with this thread

Tiberius and his Mother, Livia

Claudius

Volume: I №: 3062
Reign: Claudius Persons: Claudius (Augustus) Magistrate: Artemas, son of Demetrios (stephanephoros)
City: Cadi Region: Phrygia Province: Asia (conventus of Sardis)
Denomination: Brass AE 20
Obverse: ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ; laureate head of Claudius, right
Reverse: ΕΠΙ ΑΡΤΕΜΑ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΔΟΗΝΩΝ, ϹΤΕΦΑΝ; Zeus standing, left, with eagle and sceptre. ΡTΛΩ monogram in left field.
Specimens: 33
RPC I 3062; SNG Copenhagen 246-7; SNG von Aulock 3685; BMC 18-19

Anaximander · May 18

I just finished reading a Steven Saylor book, The Seven Wonders, wherein our young hero travels to see the seven wonders of the world, including Ephesus. Makes me want to get ancient coinage depicting some of those seven wonders, though I don't think you'll find anything Greek or Roman for the pyramids or the hanging gardens of Babylon.

Oh, that Drusus.

Roman Empire. Drusus, son of Tiberius. 19-23 AD. AE As (10.19 gm, 27.7mm, 12h), Rome, lifetime issue, 22-23 AD. Bare head left. DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N. / Large SC, with legend around. PONTIF TRIBVN POTEST ITER. VF. RIC I (Tiberius) #45, #97; SRCV I #1794; Vagi 470; BMCRE Tiberius #99. I got confused when reading the OP because the RIC attribution felt odd. My Drusus was issued by Tiberius, not Titus, and the notation RIC (with 2 in superscript) doesn't actually say which volume, and tracking down both Tiberius and Titus had me perusing my RIC volumes I, II, II part 3, and finally vol II part 1. Sheesh!

Now here's a Claudius. It's a proper tetradrachm of Ephesus, so even @kirispupis cannot complain.