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From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities
Name/TitleCoin, billon tetradrachm, Claudius II Gothicus
About this objectMarcus Aurelius Claudius, also known as Claudius II or Claudius Gothicus, was Roman emperor from 268-270 CE. He was the first of the 'soldier emperors' of the Third Century, earning the name Gothicus for his decisive defeat of the Goths at the Battle of Naissus. He was also awarded the title of "Germanicus Maximus" for his quick and successful response against the Alamanni at the Battle of Lake Benacus.
The obverse of this tetradrachm shows a bust of the bearded emperor in his military armour, wearing a laurel wreath. It dates from the second year of his reign in the Alexandrian calendar, around 269 or 270 CE.
The reverse image is a common one for Alexandrian coins. It shows Dikaiosyne, the personification of righteousness and justice. She is in a standard pose, seated with a cornucopia resting on her left arm and scales hanging from her right arm. The Roman equivalent of the Greek Dikaiosyne was Aequitas, the personification of equity or fair dealing. Aequitas is also often seen holding scales and cornucopiae, and occasionally holding a sceptre.
Date Made269-270 CE
PeriodImperial (Roman)
Place MadeEgypt
Place NotesAlexandria
Medium and MaterialsMetal: Billon (silver copper alloy)
Style and IconographyRoman
Inscription and MarksObverse:
AϒT K KΛAϒΔIOC CEB
(Autokrator Kaisar Claudius Sebastos)
Emperor Caesar Claudius Augustus
Reverse:
LB
In the second year of his reign [B=2, the second letter]
TechniqueStriking (metalworking)
MeasurementsWeight 9.58g
Diameter ca. 21mm
Subject and Association KeywordsEmperors
Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art
Subject and Association KeywordsKings and rulers in art
Subject and Association KeywordsNumismatics
Subject and Association KeywordsInscriptions, Greek
Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Credit LineDonated by M.K. Steven, 1996.
Object TypeExchange Media
Object number180.96.11
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved