Gold Aureus of Claudius

This aureus is part of a series of coins issued by Claudius to celebrate his father’s military triumphs. It was found in December 2022 and recorded at the PAS as FASAM-EE7A78 where it was considered a Find of Note.

The reverse shows DE GERMANIS on architrave of triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue left between two trophies. The obverse has the bust of Nero Claudius Drusus and the legend NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP. It recognises his military success in Germania and was issued some 50 years after his death.

Nero Claudius Drusus

Three months before he was born, Drusus’s mother divorced her current husband and married the Emperor Augustus who brought him up as his own son. He was granted public offices at an early age and Augustus arranged an advantageous marriage. In his lifetime he was one of the most celebrated military commanders, rapidly gaining a string of victories and conquests in Germania.

On 1 August 10 BC he dedicated the great Altar of Lugdunum to Augustus. The same day saw the birth of his youngest son Claudius, who struck this aureus in posthumous remembrance. The following March, at the age of 29, he died after falling of a horse.