Rarer type of denarius struck under Emperor Claudius (41–54 AD), depicting both the emperor himself and his adopted son, Nero.
The denarii of Claudius featuring Nero rank among the most important propaganda coins of the period. Claudius, who had ascended to the throne unexpectedly after the assassination of Caligula in AD 41, was well aware of the need to secure dynastic legitimacy. By placing Nero’s portrait on the reverse, he clearly designated him as heir, even though his own biological son, Britannicus, was still alive and technically eligible to succeed. These issues were thus part of a broader political struggle and served as a foreshadowing of events to come – Nero ultimately became emperor upon Claudius’s death in AD 54.
Ex. Gorny & Mosch, 269 Auction, 9 March 2020, lot 1024.
Roman Imperial
Claudius (41-54), As 50-54, Gallic mint
Obverse: laureate head right
TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TRIB POT P P
Reverse: bare, draped bust of young Nero left
NERO CLAVD CAES DRVSVS GERM PRINC IVVENT
Diameter 20 mm, weight 3.51 g
