Lot 1718

Description

Claudius, (A.D. 41-54), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 41-42, (26.89 g), obv. laureate head of Claudius to right, around TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP, countermarked weakly in rectangular block NCAPR, rev. [SPES] AVGVSTA around, Spes draped advancing to left, right hand holding flower, left raising skirt, S C in exergue, (S.1853, BMC 116 [same countermark, p.181], RIC 99, cf.C.85, CBN 165). Nearly fine/fair and rare.

Ex Dr V.J.A.Flynn Collection. and previously from A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London with ticket.

BMC notes that this countermarked type (p.xxxi) means 'Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit' it occurs generally on many contempary coin types including Claudius, in part are applied to the coinage when the senatorial mint was idle. The type could also be most naturally connected with the expedition to Britain and the conquest of the island and the period under Nero.