The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC F Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Beneath a striking verdigris, this rare ancient bronze features no fewer than three hard-to-come-by Claudian dynasts: Britannicus, Claudia Antonia (27-66 AD), and Claudia Octavia (40?-62 AD). Based on the obverse bust and inscription, NEOC ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙΚOC, referring to “young Germanicus," it probably dates to no later than 43 AD, when Roman Emperor Claudius celebrated Britannia’s subjugation by renaming his son born of his third wife, Valeria Messalina. The obverse inscription also comprises the letters KY, indicating an origin of Kyzicus (Cyzicus) in Mysia, a prominent ancient city allied with Rome since the Mithradatic wars. The verso’s epithet, AN and OKTA, above and below, respectively, a pair of confronted busts, confirms the identity of the same as Britannicus’ sister, Claudia Antonia, and half-sister, Claudia Octavia (born of Claudius’ second wife, Aelia Paetina). Beyond sharing this charming numismatic canvas, the three step-siblings also shared a common pathos. Each fell victim to their step-brother Nero’s quest to sit atop Rome’s throne. Nero was the son of Claudius’ fourth wife, Agrippina Jr., by her previous husband, Ahenobarbus. Claudius married Agrippina after Messalina’s disgrace and subsequent execution in 48 AD. Propelled by his mother’s aspirations – if not his own – Nero became Claudius’ adoptive son and guardian over Britannicus, several years his junior. In 53 AD, Nero married his cousin/step-sister Claudia Octavia, even though she had apparently not yet come of age. The union between the families of Agrippina’s father, Germanicus (Julians), and Claudius (Claudians) cemented Nero’s position as the leading succession candidate. In 54 AD, Claudius died, the victim of poison administered by the ambitious Agrippina. At that time, Nero reportedly arranged that his three step-siblings featured on this coin were temporarily detained. In this fashion, Nero ascended without any dispute. In the aftermath, Claudia Octavia received the title of Rome’s Empress. One can only imagine her feelings in the matter, since her status came at the expense of her father’s murder. As for Britannicus, his fate was now sealed, since he represented a serious imperial threat. A few months later, Britannicus fell ill at a banquet, and died. While the cause of death was advertised as epilepsy, there remains little doubt Claudius’ son was poisoned. As proof of perfidy, future Emperor Titus drank the same fatal beverage as his friend Britannicus, and scarcely survived. Claudia Octavia also witnessed Britannicus’ demise, one of many traumas inflected by her husband. She was the victim of many of Nero’s abuses; by accounts, nearly strangled to death on several occasions. She was humiliated by Nero’s public displays of infidelity, particularly his affair with the voluptuous Poppea. In 62 AD, Nero divorced Claudia Octavia on grounds of her alleged sterility. Later that year, the Emperor ordered his ex-wife’s execution on charges of adultery and treason. Having discarding Claudia Octavia, Nero chose Poppea to be his second wife. That relationship lasted only until 65 AD, when the Emperor killed his new wife (and their unborn child) by a kick to the stomach. Nero was now in search of a third wife, and he set his sights on the highest-ranking surviving female of the Claudian clan, namely Claudia Antonia. The latter was twice widowed, her first and second husbands executed for alleged treason by Claudius and Nero, respectively. Not surprisingly, Claudia Antonia was not thrilled at the though of marrying Nero. She refused. In 65 AD, Nero, likely in retribution, had Claudia Antonia executed for alleged treason. In the end, Nero’s political ambitions consumed all three of Claudius’ biological children. Consequently, ancient coinage featuring members of that trio are relatively scarce. Even so, a few remarkable issues, including this specimen, feature all three, providing a poignant reminder of the dynastic decadence defining the early Roman Empire. Coin Details: ROMAN PROVINCIAL, Struck during Reign of Claudius 41-54 AD in Cyzicus, Mysia, AE13 (13.0 mm, 1.918 g, 315°), NGC Grade: F, Strike:4/5, Surface: 4/5 Obverse: Bare head of Britannicus right, ΝΕΩΣ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙΚΟΣ Κ Υ, Reverse: Confronted, draped busts of Claudia Antonia and Octavia, ΑΝ ΟΚΤΑ, References: RPC I 2248, BMC Mysia -, SNG BnF -, SNG Cop -, SNGvA -, SNG Hunterian -.

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