Lot 3481

Description

Claudius, (A.D. 41-54), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 41-50, (19.78 g), obv. laureate head of Claudius to right, around [TI CLAVD]IVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP, countermarked in incuse rectangular block NCAPR on left, rev. wreath with legend in four lines, traces of EX SC OB CIVES SERVATOS, (S.1850, RIC 96, C.112, BMC 186, C.38 Countermark very fine, otherwise very good - nearly fine and rare.

The countermark of NCAPR [Nero Caesar Augustus PRobavit] occurs of sestertii of emperors from Tiberius to Claudius and is the commonest of all Roman countermarks. The purpose was to review the coinage in circulation and mark such coins as past the test. Mattingly believes this was done during the early years of the reign of Nero, when the senatorial mint was idle.