| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 1026 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Geoffrey Cope Collection of Ancient Greek and Roman Bronzes. The Roman Empire. Claudius augustus, 41 – 54. Description Sestertius, Roma 50-54, Æ 35 mm, 30.00 g. Sestertius 50-54, Æ 35 mm, 30.00 g. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P Laureate head r. Rev. SPES – AVGVSTA Spes advancing l., holding flower and raising skirt; in exergue, S C. Reference C 85 BMC 192 RIC 115 CBN 217 Condition In an exceptional state of preservation. A portrait of Claudius of enchanting beauty, the workof a very talented engraver, struck on a very large flan. A finely engraved reverse die and a wonderful untouched brown-green patina. Good extremely fine Provenance Waddell sale 2, 1987, 480 Leu sale 52, 1991, 167 NAC sale 51, 2009, 186 From the William James Conte collection Note: : The fact that Claudius choses Spes, the goddess of hope, to occupy such a prominent place on his coinage, makes it clear that she was present in his thoughts. Carson suggests the type was introduced in the accession year of 41 because his own birthday, August 1st, was the day of the vota to Spes, and in that accession year, Claudius invoked her assistance on behalf of his new-born son, Britannicus. Spes was also the goddess of the future, which gave her a prominent role in certain kinds of occasions, especially weddings and births, the latter of which made her valuable to children. With all of this in mind, his choice of Spes was especially appropriate during the event-filled year of 41. Carson notes that the Spes type afterward became a standard dynastic type for imperial heirs. In this case the reverse inscription, SPES AVGVSTA, takes on a more complete dimension by suggesting hope for the empire through the imperial family. Kent notes that by the time the later Spes sestertii were minted by Claudius, the "hope" of the Imperial succession had been transferred from Britannicus to his adopted son, Nero. The existence of numerous temples and altars to Spes in the capital, and the fine renderings of the goddess on Claudius' sestertii suggest they are based upon a statuary prototype – perhaps one of great antiquity, considering its archaising qualities. Estimate: 25000 CHF |  |
