| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 31062 Price realized: 8,000 USD (Approx. 7,293 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients Claudius II (AD 268-270). AV medallion of 8 aurei (38mm, 39.18 gm, 12h). Fine, tooling. Mediolanum (Milan), September AD 268. IMP•C•M•AVRL•CLAVDIVS•P•F•AVG•, laureate, cuirassed bust of Claudius II right, seen from front, aegis on left shoulder, fold of toga palmata on right, breastplate decorated with emperor on horseback right, spearing fallen enemy / CONCORD-IA•EX-ERCITVS•, Concordia standing facing, head right, grounded signum surmounted by aquila and vexillum in each hand. J. Lafaurie, RN 1958, p. 101, 7-10 and pl. 8, 9. Hunter 27. RIC V.I -. Gnecchi -. H. Huvelin and J. Lafaurie, "Treasure of a Roman ship found in the Mediterranean; new discoveries ", RN 1980, 13-21. An impressive and weighty multiple, with an ornate military bust of this heroic ruler. Evidence of tooling, thus ineligible for encapsulation. Born about AD 214 on the Danube frontier, Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius followed the military career adopted by so many of his countrymen and rose to high command in the reign of Gallienus (AD 253-268). During the siege of Milan in mid-AD 268, Gallienus was assassinated and Claudius acclaimed emperor in his place by his fellow officers. The Senate approved Claudius' elevation, but the all-important soldiers proved restive, as Gallienus had treated them well. Claudius was forced to buy them off with a massive bribe of 10 gold aurei apiece. The highest officers likely received payment in the form of gigantic gold medallions of 8 aurei struck at the mint of Milan, like the present specimen. These were the largest Roman gold pieces struck to that point, and the reverse made a plea for "harmony in the army" (CONCORDIA EXERCITVS). Once seated in power, Claudius went on to a brief but momentous reign that proved a turning point in history. In AD 270, he won an annihilating victory over the Goths at Naissus. Claudius was hailed as the savior of his nation and the Senate voted him the title of Gothicus, by which he is still known. But Claudius never lived to enjoy his triumph, for he contracted the plague and died in the summer of AD 270. He was immediately deified and greatly mourned. Despite reigning less than two years, he was so fondly remembered that more than 35 years later, Constantine the Great claimed a family connection to him and struck coins in his honor. SOLD AS IS, NO RETURNS. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-claudius-ii-ad-268-270-av-medallion-of-8-aurei-38mm-3918-gm-12h-fine-tooling/a/3113-31062.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 10000-15000 USD |  |
