Nomos 37

Claudius, 41-54. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32 mm, 24.50 g, 7 h), 41-42. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP Laureate head of Claudius to right. Rev. SPES AVGVSTA / S C Spes advancing to left, lifting up the hem of her robes with her left hand and holding a flower in her right. BMC 124. Cohen 85. RIC 99. An attractive piece with a lovely green patina, overlaid by some deposits on the reverse. Very minor pit on the obverse, otherwise, otherwise, good very fine.

From a Swiss collection, ex Nomos 7, 15 May 2013, 160 and Numismatica Ars Classica 15, 18 May 1999, 295.

The Sestertius was a quarter denarius and was a major part of the Roman Imperial coinage system. The issues of Claudius with the reverse of Spes, a goddess of particular interest to the emperor, were quite large, and usually bear a fine portrait, of pure Julio-Claudian style, as we see here. They were, in fact, so popular with the troops on the frontier that many local imitations were produced as well, many looking decidely bizarre.