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RIC 99 of Claudius

RIC_0099_Imit

Lot No.1300. AE35 Imitative Sestertius of Claudius.

$ 155. Many imitative bronze coins of the 1st century exist. Some were semi-official issues to relieve local coinage shortages and some were simply counterfeits. The relatively crude style of this one is evidence that it was a local, Barbarous imitation not meant to fool anyone into thinking it was from the mint at Rome.

Tiberius Claudius Drusus, born in 10 BC, was Caligula's uncle and was acclaimed emperor by the Praetorians after his nephew was assassinated in 41 AD. Despite being considered a halfwit, he was an able emperor, ruling until 54 AD, when he is believed to have been poisoned by his wife and neice, Agrippina Junior.