Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich

Auctions 99 & 100 - Part I  –  29 May 2017

Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich, Auctions 99 & 100 - Part I

The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei – Part II, and an important ...

Mo, 29.05.2017, from 1:15 PM CEST
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Description

Antonia, wife of Nero Claudius Drusus. Aureus circa 41-45, AV 7.79 g. ANTONIA – AVGVSTA Draped bust r., wearing crown of corn ears. Rev. SACERDOS -– DIVI – AVGVSTI Two long torches, lighted and linked by ribbon. C 4. BMC Claudius 112. RIC Claudius 67. CBN Claudius 15. Calicó 319a.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Among the finest aurei of
Antonia known. A very elegant portrait of fine style, good extremely fine

Provenance
Sold by Harlan J. Berk, Chicago, auction 102, 27 May 1998, lot 14.
Privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk in May 2006.
All of the coins Claudius struck for his deceased mother Antonia honour her as Augusta, a status she shared only with Livia. We are told by Suetonius (Gaius 15) that Caligula compelled the senate to grant Antonia every honour possessed by Livia. However, the same historian (Claudius 11) tells us she refused what Caligula proposed and that only after her death was she hailed Augusta by Claudius (it is worth noting that an inscription from Corinth indicates she was hailed Augusta by Caligula). Antonias' portrait on the obverse of her two precious metal coinages represent her in the guise of Ceres (Demeter), for she wears a crown of grain ears. The reverse type of this aureus is inscribed SACERDOS DIVI AVGVSTI, and depicts two alight torches linked by a ribbon or garland. The inscription is a direct reference to Claudius – the issuer of the coin – as the priest of the cult of Divus Augustus. The meaning of the two torches is less clear. Perhaps they signify Livia and Antonia as the only two women, both deceased, who held the title Augusta. Alternatively, they may represent the rites of the Augustan priesthood, of which Antonia was named priestess under Caligula, and Claudius since the accession of Tiberius. Equally likely is the possibility of the explanation involving the Ceres-Demeter connection already noted for the obverse. Demeter is usually depicted holding a torch, which illuminated her visits to the underworld. The worship of Ceres-Demeter in Rome involved annual celebrations (the Cerealia) and games (the Ludi Cereales). The cult was ancient and important, and was inextricably tied to the Eleusinian Mysteries. Claudius’ interest in its occult rituals must have been deep since Suetonius (Claudius 25) tells us he tried to relocate the Eleusinian Mysteries from Attica to Rome.

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Price realized 34'000 CHF
Starting price 20'000 CHF
Estimate 25'000 CHF
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