Nero Claudius Drusus (38-9 BC). AR denarius (18mm, 3.64 gm, 9h). NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 3/5. Rome, ca. AD 41-45. NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, head of Nero Claudius Drusus left, wreathed in oak / DE GE-R-MA-NIS, two oblong shields crossed in foreground, vexillum with waving banner, four crossed spears and two crossed trumpets behind. RIC I (Claudius I) 74. Magnificent portrait, areas of toning around devices. Although RIC specifically describes the banner as still on the denarius module, sales archives show there are two distinct varieties - one with banner still, and one in motion, as on this specimen and the description for the aureus (RIC 73). The wreath worn by Drusus, misidentified as a laurel wreath until recognized as oak by D. Salzmann in 1976, was presumably a posthumous honor voted to him by the Senate. The reverse on this issue celebrates his German campaign, for which his eldest son was renamed Germanicus.

HID09801242017

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