Numismatics

    Claudian Aureus in Great Condition

As my regulars are well aware, I have an active interest in the history of ancient cultures, particularly ancient Greece and Rome. This is of no surprise, as we directly and indirectly owe much to Greece and Rome. These ancient cultures have bequeathed much in terms of culture, art, architecture, technology, law, language, literature, and, let's not forget, war—have I left anything out? (What did the Romans do for us?)

We can learn much from the ancients. Although times change, the constant is human nature. One method we can use to garner knowledge from the past is through coinage. As a practical concept, coins came into being about 800 BC in Lydia, a region of Asia Minor. Initially, the coins were simply adorned with a plain, modest image. The concept spread quickly throughout the Mediterranean region, and the first Greek coins were minted around the 7th century BC. The implementation of coinage offered many advantages over the simple barter it replaced. Coinage containing precious metals of known weight offered standardisation and credibility backed by government power and prestige. This innovation facilitated both internal and international commerce muchly.

By hook and by crook, I  seem to have inherited various pieces of old coinage. Most are British and not particularly old. Indeed, the oldest British currency I sport in my limited collection is the strange and out-of-place 'Two Pence Cartwheel ' minted in 1797'. This rather large coin proved unpopular with merchants of the day, perhaps because of its size. The coin was minted in Birmingham, a large and rather unloved city adjacent to the beloved borough of Tipton. Anyway, at the time of mint, the Crown stipulated the coin should contain two pence of copper as valued at that time, hence its large size. It has remained an anomaly in British coinage history never to be repeated. I also own several silver Victorian crowns of excellent condition. However, the pride of my collection is a coin minted 2,000 years ago.

I have the honour of being the proud recipient of a gold aureus commemorating Claudius' invasion and conquest of Britain in 43 AD. Tis a coin replete with propaganda, emphasising Claudius' great achievement. Conquering a country is something to gloat about. Claudius is a fascinating character/caricature from history. He was thrust unto greatness by chance and circumstance. After the assassination of the alluring and frankly odd Caligula in 41 AD, poor Claudius was found dallying behind palace drapes by the Praetorian guard. Once discovered, Claudius lay prostrate in fear. But fate favoured the fool, and he was granted the greatest gift of the ancient world. And thus, he was made Emporer of Rome and all its possessions (Tipton was not a Roman province at the time). Claudius was an unlikely candidate for the purple. According to history, he was afflicted by several unpleasant maladies which distracted from the majesty of the ultimate accolade. His ticks, stutter and ungainly gait, must have made him an unruly spectacle in public. In private, he would have had to suffer the indignities of his close family's scrutiny.  

Throughout life  Claudius had been sequestered in the cloisters due to his health problems. Unlike his kin he had not been allowed to undertake military glory. To advance in Roman society and politics, a military career was mandatory.  Bereft of military experience Claudius faced a problem of credibility. He needed a military victory to cement his position as emporer. But where to go? There was the perennial problem of the Germans. However, the Germans were always a proud, stubborn race ready for violence. Best leave them behind their dark, dank, weary forests. After all, the Rhine was too alluring as a defensive line/lime. Britainia seemed an easier mark. They were no match for Caeser's legions a hundred years before. Therefore, in 43 AD, the Roman invasion of Britain began in earnest and troops under Aulus Plautius landed in Kent. Initially, the invasion went smoothly and to plan, and by 46 AD, the Romans felt comfortable enough to issue a gold coin lauding their victory over the Britains. One side of the coin shows a triumphal arch with the inscription. 'DE BRITANN'. Also, we have a fella riding a horse flanked by two sets of armour and arms representing spoils of war. On the other side, we have a rather flattering portrait of Claudius in repose with the legend, TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P VI IMP X. 

Through the modern lens, Claudius has come to be considered a mild, studious, and avuncular emporer. This is perhaps due to Robert Graves's writings and best-seller, 'I CLAVDIVS'. In truth, he was not as benevolent as portrayed and had a bloodthirsty streak, just like his predecessor, the much-reviled Caligula. Claudius also had a habit of picking the wrong women as consorts. Messalina and Agrippina proved to be disastrous. Historians are of the opinion that Agrippina was active in sending old Claudius off to reside with his ancestors. Once Claudius was out of the way. Agripinna's son, Nero, became emperor. And as we are aware, Nero is not considered one of Rome's most beloved rulers.     

My coin has suffered a great deal of wear, probably as a consequence of hundreds of years of circulation. In numismatic circles, the condition of the coin is paramount. For instance, if the coin in question is graded as 'extra fine (XF)' condition at auction, it can expect to fetch in the region of US $50,000. My coin offers no interest to collectors and, therefore, is worth its gold content which is subject to the fluctuating gold price. I estimate that in bullion terms, it is worth no more than US $120. That said, there is something magical to own a coin representing a historical event stretching back two millenium.