I Got a Claudius!

David Atherton · December 11, 2024

Well ... sort of ... 😉

Claudius, Restored by Titus
Æ Sestertius, 24.42g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P: Head of Claudius, laureate, r.
Rev: IMP T VESP AVG REST; S C in field; Spes stg. l., with flower
RIC 472 (C3). BMC 297. BNC 308.
Acquired from CGB, November 2024.

Titus struck an extensive restoration series of bronze coins of Flavian approved past emperors and imperial family members which reproduced the original coins in their entirety. While this veneration of past coinages was not a new idea (Vespasian copied past types on many reverses for the precious metal issues) it was quite an innovation to copy both the obverse and reverse of these past coinages. To do so likely had a dual purpose - one, to recoin types that were being recalled or falling out of circulation and to keep their memory alive, and secondly to link the Flavian house with those past revered personages. The meaning is quite clear on the reverse with Titus declaring he has restored (REST) this coin. H. Mattingly in BMCRE II described the series as a 'roll of honour of the early Empire, preserving all memories that deserved to be remembered.' This restored Claudius sestertius copies a well known Spes design from his reign. The flat fabric and style suggests another mint other than Rome. RIC speculates that some of these restoration issues could have been struck at the Thracian mint, but for convenience were catalogued under Rome.

In hand.

Apologies for the clickbait title ... but I really do love the 12 Caesars and luckily for me Titus and Domitian recoined many of their coins. It doesn't feel like 'cheating' when I acquire one.

Please feel free to share your 12 Caesars or anything you feel is relevant.

Thanks for looking!